In an effort to further reduce expenses associated with commuting to and from work, I’ve decided to quit my job and become a ward of the state through the glories of the welfare system. Actually, that’s not exactly accurate. What I meant to say is that I’ve started taking UTA’s FrontRunner service to and from the office.
About a month ago, Holly mentioned that Weber State students are able to get free bus passes. These passes also include passage aboard FrontRunner, Utah’s version of a “high speed” commuter train that runs from Ogden to Salt Lake and back again. While I question these alleged high speeds, it does a nice job of getting me to work in about the same amount of time that it would take me to drive. It’s also free for me since I’m a student so it’s really a no lose situation. The only downside is if I miss the train. Waiting on the platform for 30 minutes until the next train arrives isn’t fun.
Normally, I try to get to the train station a few minutes early so that I don’t have to sprint from the parking lot to the platform. (Again, missing the train isn’t fun.) This typically isn’t a problem in the mornings but in the afternoons, I’ve found myself cutting it closer than I would like. The Ogden station is about five blocks from my office and it takes me about 10 minutes to make the walk depending on how busy Wall Avenue is. (There are no traffic signals for about a three block stretch and the street is very busy so it sometimes takes a while to dart across. It makes me feel like Frogger.) More than once, I’ve found myself running the entire five blocks in order to barely catch the train.
Once I’m actually on the train, the ride itself is generally very relaxing. I take my MP3 player with me and listen to audio books or lectures and try to just enjoy the quiet. Only on occasion will a parent let their unruly child run up and down the aisle but when that happens, it gets irritating very quickly.
I don’t think that I can complain about my experiences thusfar on FrontRunner. It’s on time almost to a fault and it’s free for me to ride. As long as I’m in school, I think I’ll be saving a lot of money on gasoline; especially when I drive the scooter to the station. I never thought that I’d say this, but it’s not too bad that I’m on the 20 years to graduate plan.
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Yea I’ve been using FrontRunner to take the daily trip south. I’d love to have my pass for free ($175/month). I still buy a ticket on a daily basis because it saves me money (I don’t take the train every day, thus much much less than a monthly pass).I’ve been getting a lot more reading done (1.5 hours of travel time each way) which is a good thing. I’m really wondering what the wait will be like when the Utah winter hits.
That’ good! Making yourself feel better about slacking all these years. This would be great. A perfect time to wind down after a hard day of work.
I hadn’t thought about once winter hits but I’m guessing that the train will be a good alternative to battling drivers who seem to annually forget how to drive in snow.
I’m curious about ridership once the snow flies, too. The trains are close to full as it is. Also, I don’t relish the thought of standing on the platforms in the cold on those winter mornings.