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Public Transportation
Automobiles
It may
seem to you that everyone in the United States has a car and that
everyone needs one. Certainly, cars can be convenient, but they can also
be very expensive to buy and maintain. Some things about them can be
inconvenient, such as parking and upkeep. Some universities may not
allow first-year undergraduate students to keep a car on campus due to
limited parking space.
If you decide to buy a car, take your time and look for deals on good
cars for less money. Research the cars you are considering to be certain
they are safe and reliable. You can purchase magazines that will assist
you with your research. When shopping for a car, bring along someone who
is knowledgeable about cars and how they are sold in the United States.
Used cars are less expensive than new cars. Of course, if the car is
older there is a risk of problems and repair costs. Used cars are
sometimes advertised on bulletin boards on campus and in newspapers, or
you can go to a used car lot.
If you plan to drive in the United States, you must have a valid
driver's license. It is a good idea to get a driver's license issued in
the state where you will live, since some states do not recognize an
international driver's license. Even those that do recognize an
international license will accept it for only one year after you arrive
in the United States. Check with the local office of the state motor
vehicles department to get information on obtaining a state driver's
license.
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Motorcycles
Motorcycles and other
two-wheeled vehicles with motors are another relatively inexpensive form
of transportation. Most states require that these vehicles be registered
and that their drivers be licensed. Most states also require drivers to
wear protective helmets.
In addition, many universities and colleges require that motorcycles and
similar vehicles be registered with the campus security office. Some
institutions require that motorcycles have effective devices to muffle
the loud engine noise.
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Bicycles
On many U.S. campuses
and in many communities, bicycles provide useful, inexpensive, and
convenient transportation. Bicycle shops often sell new and used
bicycles. Notices of used bicycles for sale are sometimes posted by
students on bulletin boards and in classified advertising sections in
the school or community newspaper.
Some universities and some city police departments require that bicycles
be licensed. Ask your international student adviser about regulations
and traffic rules for bicycles on campus and in the community.
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Buses
Bus travel is the least
expensive way to travel in the United States and provides excellent
opportunities for seeing the country. Reservations are not required, but
if you are considering traveling or touring by bus, you should try to
make arrangements with a travel agent before you leave home. The major
bus company serving the United States is the Greyhound Bus Company.
Greyhound sometimes has special fares for touring the United States and
it also has a special touring fare called Ameripass, available for
travel anywhere in the United States. It may be purchased in the United
States. Contact a travel agency for more information.
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Airlines
The United States has
several major national airlines as well as many regional carriers.
Because of the competition between airlines, you may find that airfares
are surprisingly low, particularly when airlines offer sales. You can
book tickets directly with the airlines, through a travel agent, or
through the Internet.
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Trains
Amtrak, the U.S.
national rail carrier, offers a USA Rail Pass to permanent residents of
foreign countries, but it must be purchased outside the United States.
The pass entitles you to unlimited travel for one predetermined price
for a specified number of days. For information, contact a travel
agency.
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Public Transportation
Public transportation in
the United States varies significantly from city to city. Several of the
major U.S. cities have a dependable, comprehensive system. Others have
very little public transport. Depending on where you live in relation to
your college or university campus, public transportation can be the
simplest, least expensive, and most reliable way to get to school. If
you live on campus, you may find that you rarely need to get any place
that you cannot walk to; therefore, basic public transportation may be
sufficient. Make sure you get acquainted with your area's most
convenient form of public transportation.
If you plan to live off-campus and will not have access to a car, make
sure you know how frequently your street or area is served by public
transportation, the times of scheduled stops, and the price of travel.
Take the price of transportation into account when deciding where to
live since it can affect your budget considerably. If you need to take
public transportation daily, it is recommended that you get a monthly
pass to save on transport expenses.
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