Salt Lake City is known for its high altitude, impressive architecture and top-notch universities. With so many college students in the area, it's no wonder that this northern Utah city offers several affordable and convenient transit options. Learners can easily find modes of transportation that suit their budgets and class schedules.
Buses
The Utah Transit Authority operates public buses in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. They stop at local colleges and thousands of other locations. Some buses supply free wireless Internet access. Students at over 60 universities qualify to purchase monthly passes at a 25 percent discount. The UTA requires them to bring photo identification with the pass.
Taxis
A more flexible but costly option is to call a taxi. This works well for students who live on campus and only travel occasionally. At least three major taxi services transport passengers throughout the state capital, according to the Salt Lake Tourist and Visitor Center. They are willing to dispatch taxis at any hour of the night or day.
Trains
The TRAX light rail system has provided transportation to various parts of the county since 1999. Students can use it to reach the downtown business district, the international airport and many different neighborhoods. It runs from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on most days. The above-mentioned bus pass gives people who attend college Salt Lake City an unlimited number of TRAX rides.
Cars
Although snow can be a problem at times, the state capital's streets are arranged in an easily navigable fashion. To prevent their parking lots from running out of space, many colleges discourage driving by requiring people with cars to buy expensive parking permits. Some undergraduates cut transportation costs by carpooling.
Bikes
Salt Lake City has taken a variety of steps to make its streets more friendly to bicyclists. The arid climate also helps by supplying plenty of warm, dry weather. Students benefit from trails and bike lanes that span more than 150 miles, according to the local government. They can find numerous bike racks along streets throughout the city.
When students need to travel elsewhere in the state or nation, several long-distance transit options are available. The visitor center reports that they include interstate buses, Amtrak trains and airplanes that land at the city's international airport. Several agencies and local companies provide auto rentals as well.