Commuting 101
Hey Vickies! Comm Dons are here with some commuting hacks that we think will make commuting to and from campus safer and more enjoyable!
Whether your commute is 5 minutes or over 60 minutes, that walk/transit to an early morning lecture or exam can be quite draining and stressful. That’s why we’ve put together some ways that we believe will make commuting faster, safer and more fun!
City of Toronto Bike Share
These city bikes can be found all around campus and in the City of Toronto! To find the nearest pickup/drop-off location, simply google “City of Toronto Bike Share”, click on “Maps” and it will show you the closest of the 630 pickup locations.
To pay for these bike rentals, you can pay just $3.25 for a one-off 30-minute trip at the kiosk, or you can purchase an annual membership for $99 for 30 minutes for 365 days, or $115 for 45 minutes for 365 days.
Super exciting! Bike Share Toronto has recently introduced E-bikes (electric bikes) to the system!!! So after a long day of lectures, you can speed home with minimal effort and time. We can’t wait to try them!
TTC
Toronto’s Public Transit system, or “the TTC” runs all throughout campus and consists of hundreds of train, street-car and bus routes!
To make navigating the TTC easier, you can either use “Google Maps” or “Rocketman”. Rocketman is an app designed specifically for TTC commutes which gives you bus/train/street-car schedules.
PRESTO! No, we’re not talking about a spell, we’re talking about the TTC payment system. You can either pay $3.25 in cash, purchase a “single ride” ticket at one of the machines in train stations and on street cars or get a beloved PRESTO Card. PRESTO cards are kind of like bank cards for the train! You load them up with money either at the kiosks in the station, a Customer Service Outlet, or you can go to any Shopper’s Drug Mart where they can assist you with auto-reloads and Youth Discounts (if you are under the age of 19).
Commuting Safely at Night
It is best to avoid it whenever possible, but sometimes commuting at night is a must with evening exams and classes. Therefore, in a big city, it is important to follow steps to make sure that you are being as safe as possible.
Below are some ways that we like to be safe when commuting off-campus at night:
Lower music volume: Listening to music on your way home can really help to pass the time. However, when commuting alone at night, it is important to make sure that you can hear everything going on around you. You don’t have to turn your music off to do this, just turn it down so you can still hear!
Phone a friend: Staying on the phone with a family member or friend is another great way to stay safe. If you feel like you are in danger, make sure to let them know your location and the scenario you are in.
Share your location: Apps such as FindMy, and Life360 are go-to's when travelling in the city at night. Sharing your location with someone you trust, and making sure that they know when you are travelling alone, allows for friends and family to make sure you get home safe and be aware of your location at all times during your commute.
Carry an alarm: Attaching an alarm to your backpack or person is a great way to alert people in the vicinity who may be able to assist you immediately if you are in danger. Make sure the alarm is accessible and can be activated quickly!
UofT TravelSafer
TravelSafer is offered by UofT for free! It is open at all hours and days of the year (24/7/365). With this service, a Building Patroller or Special Constable will escort you anywhere on campus, and to nearby TTC stops.
In order to make a request, download the UofT Safety App, go in person to the 1st floor of 21 Sussex Avenue, or call 416–978–7233.
See https://www.campussafety.utoronto.ca/travel-safer for more information!
