Live, Work, Play?

As a public transit commuter I just thought that this was a useful bit of information. It affects both my work and academic life in a very real manner. I'm curious to know how this issue will be handled for the fall. Is that $40 discussed going to be stable for all students over the fall? If so then I'm sure it could have some effect on our transport decisions as students

Dear Student U-Pass Holder,
The ASU U-Pass you have been issued for Summer Session I EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2009, and will not be valid on Valley Metro buses or light rail after that time. However, the first summer session runs through July 2.

IF YOUR CLASSES FOR THE SUMMER CONCLUDE ON JULY 2, PTS is providing you free, two-day passes in order to bridge the gap between the last day that Valley Metro is honoring 2008-09 U-Passes and the final day of classes for the first summer session. Please bring a COPY OF YOUR SUMMER SCHOOL SCHEDULE and a PHOTO I.D. to your campus permit sales office on MONDAY, JUNE 29, or TUESDAY, JUNE 30, to obtain the two-day pass.

IF YOUR SUMMER SCHOOL CLASSES ARE IN SESSION BEYOND JULY 2, you may purchase an ASU U-Pass for $40 beginning MONDAY, JUNE 29, at your campus permit sales office. An ASU U-Pass purchased for $40 is valid from July 1 through the end of the fall semester. Students who are enrolled in summer school as well as the fall and spring semesters may purchase an ASU U-Pass for $80. This U-Pass is valid July 1, 2009 - May 15, 2010.

Please call the PTS Commuter Options office at 480.965.1072 if you have any questions. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the PTS website at http://uabf.asu.edu/parking_faqs_studentupass.

Thank you,
ASU Parking and Transit Services

In my humble opinion, the reason why a person-at-large would take public transit is because the total costs (e.g. psychic, monetary, opportunity) are less than the cost of alternative modes of transportation. I'm curious how the cost of transportation affects our other decisions. For example, I have become accustomed to making the work decision based on where I live relative to the place of business, however when I came back to the states last year I had a different mindset. The focus was on finding a place of residence after finding a place of work. It is an interesting thought that this may be a pattern for me going into the future.

Due to the rising prices of transportation, I'm sure that there has to be some effect on employment. The rising prices automatically translate to making less money. I tend to associate taking public transit with people who earn less, and so the economic impact would then be fairly immediate. This is definitely the case with me, and so I'm sure I won't be the only one adversely affected by the new Metro fare rate and gas prices.