How to travel sustainably this holiday season
Are you planning on going home this Thanksgiving break? If so, I encourage you to opt for a sustainable transportation option this holiday season. For students, there are many discounts and less expensive options available than driving. Additionally, taking public transportation helps decrease carbon emissions and lowers congestion.
Travel tips
My first tip is to go to Google Maps, enter your destination, and select the bus and/or train option and see what choices are available. You may discover a bus route you didn't know about or realize there is a train station closer to your destination than you thought. Settings in Google Maps allow you to customize your search options so you get the most compatible trip options to your likings.
Take the train -- Amtrak/Capitol Corridor
Traveling on the train is a great option, especially for students, because there are discounts available. The train stop is in downtown Davis and is easily accessible by bike, foot, or Unitrans. You can take Unitrans from campus and it will drop you off directly in front of the train station. The train schedule and route map can be found at the Capitol Corridor website. This year marks Capitol Corridor's 30th Anniversary and to celebrate they are offering 30% off all one-way and round-trip fares through the end of the year! Take advantage of this great deal and enjoy the great views the train ride has to offer.
Carpool with friends/other students
Another great option is to carpool with friends. If you are driving home and know anyone else that lives in the same city, offer to give them a ride. Carpooling is a great way to reduce emissions by minimizing the number of cars on the road. If you are looking for a ride home a great way to find a ride is by looking at the UC Davis facebook ride sharing group. People are constantly posting ride options at a low price.
Ride the bus or use the bus as a connection
Taking the public bus is another viable option. If you live near Sacramento, the Yolobus Routes can take you for free! There are also many other options for those who live near the Bay Area. There are many buses and connection options that operate in the Bay Area that can take you to your destination. It is even possible to take the train and transfer to a bus to complete your travels. For example, you can take the train to the Martinez station and then transfer to an Amtrak bus to get to your final destination. There are many convenient Amtrak Connections available (bus, ferry, van) that can be taken to reach your final destination.
This holiday season, think twice about your travel plans, and help protect our planet.
Safe travels!
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