Rutgers–Camden has a lot of commuter students. A big advantage for Rutgers–Camden commuters is that you can take the train to campus! I choose to take the train to school because it 1. saves money, 2. saves time, and 3. is convenient. If you find yourself considering taking the train, here are some things to keep in mind!
Where Do I Go?
If you need to go to the Nursing and Science Building, the closest station is Broadway Station. This station is right next to the Walter Rand River Line Station at the rear entrance of the Nursing Building.
If you need to go to the main campus, the closest station is City Hall Station. This station is about three block from the main campus.
How Much Does it Cost?
Any New Jersey station to Broadway Station or City Hall Station ticket is $1.80 one-way or $3.20 round-trip. Any Philadelphia station to Broadway Station or City Hall Station ticket is $1.40 one-way or $2.80 round-trip.
Freedom cards can be acquired for free if you show your Rutgers University ID. Instead of buying a ticket each day, you can just put money onto the card and tap and go.
Where Do I Park?
There are free parking spaces and $1 parking spaces available at all stations.
My Train Commute Tips and Tricks
How Long Will Your Commute Be?
It helps a lot to estimate how long it will take you to leave your house, how long the train ride is to your station, and how long the walk to your destination will take. You can maximize your sleep-time by figuring out exactly how much time you’ll need for your commute. You can look up the timetable for your train station so you know when to be on the platform. Most trains are almost always on time with maybe a 1-minute difference from time to time. My walk to campus from the station where I get dropped off takes like 5 minutes. All of this information helps to create a routine you can get used to.
Don’t Get Stuck!
If you choose to take a window seat, know that there’s more of a chance that someone will sit next to you and you might feel stuck. What do you say when you want to get up? What if they don’t move quick enough for you to get off at your stop? Whenever this happens to me, I take out my Freedom Card so whoever is next to me sees that I am preparing to leave. Then I sit upright so it looks like I’m about to stand up. These two gestures normally catch the person’s attention and most of the time they give me a look like, “is this your stop?” I usually smile and nod and they get up for me!
Take Advantage of Study Time
If you want to maximize your commute, have your notes or reading handy! Whether they be on your phone, printed out, or written down, your commute will be well-spent and you’ll be more prepared for class or an exam!
Eat On the Go
If you’re ever running because you missed your alarm or hit some traffic on the way over, you can always eat your breakfast on the train! You may not be able to have a full-course meal, but you can eat some fruit, yogurt, a hot pocket, or any other grab-and-go type of food. When you take the train to school, you don’t need to worry about paying attention to the road. You can eat safely and enjoy the ride. Just remember to take your trash with you!
Commute to the Beat
The sounds on the train you’ll hear are conversations, the conductor’s announcements, and the rumble of the train moving. Don’t forget to bring some earbuds so you can listen to your favorite songs during your commute and drown those sounds out. I do suggest, however, that you keep one earbud out so you can hear the announcements and don’t miss your stop!
Commuter Rewards
I will probably talk about Rutgers Kite+Key commuter program until the day I die. They have a crazy commuter rewards program that you’d be wild not to take advantage of. If you take any form of public transportation to school (e.g., PATCO or Riverline), Kite+Key will provide you with gift cards based on how much money you spend per month (max $50)! Go to your App Store and search “kite key.”
Written by Arianna F., a Rutgers—Camden Undergraduate Student and Raptor Ambassador.