As transport costs continue to rise, KU students are feeling the burden, with some spending as much as £1,200 annually on commuting.
This increase in cost has put pressure on budgets, leading students to explore cheaper modes of transport, such as hybrid buses and cycling to university. Here we explore the alternatives.
Cycling
Not only is it cost-effective but also offers health benefits and environmental advantage and Kingston University provides parking facilities for cyclists.
Third-year psychology student Emily Davis said: “The rising costs of train tickets is unbearable. Cycling has saved me over £180 so far this year.”
The university also hosts regular ‘Dr Bike’ and bike marking sessions with the police, offering minor repairs and general maintenance for any bikes brought in.
Lift sharing
Lift sharing is another cost-effective solution, allowing students to split fuel or driving costs. This option saves money but can also foster a sense of community among students traveling similar routes.
First-year architecture student Sofia Patel said: “Starting as a first year university student I don’t know many cost effective commute ideas but lift sharing has helped me a lot.”
University bus services
For those reliant on public transport, there are still plenty of opportunities to save.
KU’s hybrid free buses provide over 4,000 journeys daily to campus sites, halls of residence and sport facilities, eliminating the need for daily transport expenses.
Second-year business student Mark Stevens commented: “I started using the free university bus service and it’s been a game changer.
“It saves me so much time and money compared to TFL buses.”
Railcards
Students can also benefit from discounted railcards, such as the 16-25 Railcard, which can be linked to an Oyster card for additional savings.
This combination allows for a 30% discount on off-peak rail and tube fares, significantly reducing commuting expenses.
Students can purchase a student Oyster Photocard for £20, providing a 30% discount on weekly and monthly Travelcards and bus passes.
Whether it’s cycling, lift sharing, using discounted travel cards, or taking advantage of KU’s shuttle buses, students have multiple strategies to avoid high commuting costs without compromising convenience.
Chelsea Dryden
May Young
You might want to correct the bit on the university bus. There service has been cut SIGNIFICANTLY this academic year. There are now only 16 buses running between all campus’ (the KU1) throughout the whole day, with long wait times between some of them. This is the uni trying to save money, nothing more, and is a false economy.