> by ROBERT CREENAN

It’s time for college to start up once again and all the students are eager to see what Buffalo has to offer. For those who don’t have their own personal means of transport, we’ve compiled some methods to get you around the city without just having to rely on walking and latching onto your friends for rides.

NFTA

The Niagara Frontier Transit Authority, or NFTA, currently has the College Riders Accepting Metro, or CRAM, passes. These passes, usually distributed by the participating school, allow students to travel on NFTA transportation free or at a discounted rate. It’s good on any NFTA bus or subway. Participating schools include Buffalo State, Canisius College, Bryant and Stratton Institute, and Erie Community College.

metro.nfta.com

(716) 855-7300

Bike Share

Social Bicycles, or SoBi, as they’re known, is a GPS-based bike share program where you can reserve a bike via their app, unlock a bike with a pin number at one of their stations, and just return when you’re done. This program also has facilities in Hamilton, Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa, Providence, San Francisco, the University of Virginia, and Hailey, Idaho. A discounted rate for UB students and staff exists for only $15 per year. Other plans exist that go from 5 cents per minute or unlimited rides for 90 days at $65. The main hubs are on both main UB campuses and downtown along Elmwood and the Allentown area.

buffalo.socialbicycles.com

(716) 407-7474

TAXI

Current state law requires that taxi services start with a flat rate of $2.30 with a fare of $.50 for every 1⁄6 mile. Buffalo area taxi services include the following:

Hill Tribe Transportation

Liberty Yellow Cab

Queen City Taxi

Buffalo Express Taxi

Campus Ecosystems

For those of you new to your respective schools this year, welcome. We hope Buffalo is kind to you. Here are some pointers on the area surrounding some of the local colleges, including where to eat non-campus food, nearby parks, and the general walkability to areas surrounding the campus.

Walkability

UB South—Plenty of green space and bicycle-friendly paths. Right across the street from the dorm area is a plaza with Tops, the Amherst Theatre, Record Theatre, and other plaza and chain stores within walking distance. Down along Main St. towards the city are some walkable establishments, including Lake Effect Diner, Shango, The Steer Restaurant, Jim’s Steak-Out, Amy’s Place, Queen CIty Bookstore, @eleven, and Famous Doughnuts.

Buffalo State—Right across the Scajaquada Expressway, students can find Wegmans and Tops down the road from each other along Amherst Street. Down along Elmwood Avenue are some of the most popular restaurants, bars, and fast food options in the city. Among them are Cole’s, Elmwood Taco & Subs, Allentown Music, Blue Monk, Spot Coffee, Jim’s Steak-Out, Caffe Aroma, Mister Pizza, India Gate, Taste of Siam, J.P. Bullfeathers, Zonies and Acropolis. Next to the campus is the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Burchfield Penny Art Center. To the north is the Buffalo History Museum

Canisius—All campus buildings are located on four city blocks next to each other on Main Street, so walking or biking anywhere on campus is easily manageable. Close to the Elmwood Avenue area as well. Closer places to campus include Record Theatre, Buffalo Pizza Co., and Pan’s Garden.

Parks

Canisius—right across the street from the Forest Lawn cemetery portion of Delaware Park. An ideal spot for jogging.

UB South—right next to Grover Cleveland Park and down the road from McCarthy Park. Grover Cleveland Park contains a golf course and McCarthy Park has several baseball diamonds.

UB North—Right next to the Audubon Recreation Complex and Town Park, which has a golf course, baseball diamonds, and an indoor ice skating rink, the Northtown Center, for the winter.

Buffalo State—does overlook Delaware Park, always a fine spot for running, biking, boat rides, and going to the Buffalo Zoo. There’s also the Soldier’s Circle green area not far from Elmwood Avenue to relax.

D’Youville—a few blocks down from Prospect Park, Front Park and La Salle along the shores of the Niagara River.

Medaille—Situated right along the edge of Forest Lawn, just like Canisius, where students can go for a morning run or bike ride.

Villa Maria—Right next to Schiller Park and the Cheektowaga Town Park.