Getting from SA to San Marcos without a car..? (San Antonio: 2013, transfer)

[Sally_Sparrow]

Hi all!

I live here in SA, and I go to school in San Marcos at Texas State. Because I am a non-traditional student with a family, kids here in school, etc., I cannot opt to move to San Marcos at this time though it would make things easier. So, I usually drive. I also take the bus that is offered by the University specifically for students. It picks people up at the Randolph Park & Ride and to save money I combine both the bus and my personal vehicle.

Last semester (my first semester there) was a challenge as I had more frequent classes. This semester I have managed to schedule my classes so that I am only there Tuesday and Thursday so it is better, but the problem is, they have just announced that they will be discontinuing the bus service after August 2013. So I am concerned, since I have another year still to finish my degree and it is probably a big mess to transfer at this point to be closer.

Now, I don't mind driving my car (in fact I prefer it) but it costs more, mainly because of parking costs at school, and it's older so I am concerned about wear and tear that is excessive. So that's why I try and do a combo of bus and car. I am concerned about how to get there after they stop the bus service, especially if something were to happen, like a serious mechanical issue, that left me car-less for a bit. I don't know how I'd get to SM on short notice.

I am hoping to contact other commuters and get some names and numbers for a back-up plan, or figure out a carpool situation, but does anyone know of other affordable options? Would Greyhound work? Is there something else? The Tx State bus option is about $5 one way (so, $10 a day) so ideally I can figure out something comparable in price, or at least not crazy expensive.

I'm asking here because before I started at Texas State I had no clue about the bus option and so I figure there might be some other hidden possibility I've overlooked.

[pobre]

Is there a bulletin board or commuter center at TSSM that you could post as needing a carpool buddy?

Actually, I just googled "texas state san marcos carpool", and about 5 or more carpool share sites came up with potential carpools to San Marcos. I'm betting that many are coming from San Antonio.

Here's one: http://www.pickuppal.com/pup/browse/us/tx/sanmarcos/

[OzzyRules]

Lonestar Rail is a future option it seems:

Lone Star Rail District | Project Milestones

[Sally_Sparrow]

Originally Posted by pobre

Is there a bulletin board or commuter center at TSSM that you could post as needing a carpool buddy?

Actually, I just googled "texas state san marcos carpool", and about 5 or more carpool share sites came up with potential carpools to San Marcos. I'm betting that many are coming from San Antonio.

Here's one: PickupPal :: Browse > United States > Texas > San Marcos > Rideshare and Carpool listings

Thanks. I'm sure there are hundreds of bulletin boards at school, it's huge! But thanks for the suggestion, you reminded me that there is a non-traditional student group there and they are mostly commuters so maybe that'd be a place to start!

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

Lonestar Rail is a future option it seems:

Lone Star Rail District | Project Milestones

That would be awesome, but too late for me. I (hopefully!) will have graduated by then!

[Paka]

Maybe try on Craigslist and see if you can find a classmate to share the driving duties/costs with???

Sorry they are stopping the service you have been able to rely on, but grateful that they gave you and others a LOT of warning, so time to prepare.

[JuneOf48]

My friend took some kind of bus three times a week. He said it was a breeze, and it allowed him to work, too.

[Sally_Sparrow]

Originally Posted by Paka

Maybe try on Craigslist and see if you can find a classmate to share the driving duties/costs with???

Sorry they are stopping the service you have been able to rely on, but grateful that they gave you and others a LOT of warning, so time to prepare.

Yes, this is true, it could have been worse! I immediately contacted a "bus buddy" to see what she is planning to do, but it turns out she graduates after this summer anyway so she's not worried.

They are saying that they are going to do things to improve the parking situation for commuters, and increase shuttles and so forth, to help make this easier. They are stopping service for the Austin commuters too and that is going to be tough; the Austin buses run much more frequently and they are always packed solid.

But yeah, I am thankful I have until the Fall semester to figure something out.

Originally Posted by JuneOf48

My friend took some kind of bus three times a week. He said it was a breeze, and it allowed him to work, too.

Something different from the Texas state bus?