As ASU continues to spread out across four campuses, students must navigate miles of freeway or public transportation options to make it to class on time.
For students who live far from campus, their daily commutes can prove both costly and lengthy.
Anthropology senior Chelsea Thomsen drives to ASU's Tempe campus four days a week from north Phoenix, off Tatum Boulevard and the Loop 101.
The drive usually takes about 30 minutes, but it can take up to an hour, Thomsen said.
"My biggest issue is what I spend on gas ... I spend maybe $75 to $100 a week," she said.
Natalie Kiesler, an anthropology freshman, encounters similar problems when she commutes from north Scottsdale to Tempe.
"For me it's traffic and car accidents," she said. "It kind of is a drag."
To help alleviate these concerns, and serve students who don't have cars, ASU offers a free shuttle service transporting students between the Tempe and Downtown campuses.
Tom McGill, a nursing sophomore, said the shuttles have been somewhat empty and comfortable.
McGill takes two classes at the Downtown campus and one at the Tempe campus. He rides the shuttle from Tempe to Phoenix and back on Tuesdays. He said the system is reliable.
"Today is the first day it was actually late ... other than today, it's been pretty much right on," he said.
McGill said an advantage to using the shuttle is avoiding having to pay for parking. Prices for parking range from $150 in the Civic Plaza East Garage to $480 for the University Center Garage.
Therapeutic recreation junior Tiffany Busone, who takes three classes downtown and lives in Tempe, has had a harder time getting to and from the Downtown campus.
Busone suffers from cerebral palsy and travels in an electric wheelchair.
"The first time riding the driver didn't know how to load me on the bus," she said. "He called another driver to get help. It took 20 minutes."
Since then, Parking and Transit Services program manager Juliet Nelson said the student has been accommodated by Arrow Stage Lines, the charter bus company contracted by ASU.
Because the shuttles are charter buses, not all are handicap-equipped yet.
Nelson said it takes about eight months to get the necessary equipment for shuttles with handicap capabilities.
Amanda Johnson, a psychology junior, lives at the Village on University and rides the bus because she can't afford a car.
"I like riding the bus because it saves me money," said Johnson, who uses both the Neighborhood FLASH and Valley Metro buses.
But public transportation doesn't just save her money; it also serves to amuse her.
"Sometimes the people on the bus can be creepy, but a lot of times they are really eccentric and entertaining," Johnson said.
"Like once there were two older [men]. I think they were drunk and they kept yelling at the driver," she said.
State Press reporter Meghan Keck contributed to this report.
Reach the reporter at: astrid.galvan@asu.edu.
