There are a variety of ways to get to and from Eastern that are convenient and cheap for college students.

Panther Shuttle Driver Ken Keigley said the shuttle bus is a great option for students on a budget.

“Parking, driving and gas bills are expensive,” he said. “The shuttle is free for all students.”

The shuttle is also easy to access for its flexible schedule, Keigley said.

“It’s very easy (and) available every day,” he said.

The shuttle makes stops at hotspots on campus, a number of university dorms and residences, and stores off campus.

A consequence to relying on the panther shuttle to get around is its rush hours, Keigley said.

Panther shuttles may not make their usual stops if they get too full, according to Eastern’s website.

“The busses get really busy around 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” he said. “Andrews Hall and Wal-Mart are definitely our busiest stops.”

Keigley said about 20 people can safely ride on the panther shuttle bus at a time, so it’s wise to arrive at stop locations early in case buses are full.

Sophomore Rachel Winslow said that she prefers riding her bike on and off campus.

“I like (biking) because it tones my legs,” she said. “It gets me around (campus) faster—especially when I have back-to-back classes.”

Lexi Wormsley, a senior currently enrolled at Lakeview College, said she used to always use her car when she went to Eastern.

“Taking my car was faster, easier and more convenient,” she said.

Her only complaint was the hefty $100 price of a parking pass for a full year, she said.

Senior Hannah O’Donnell said she drives to school whenever it is raining or snowing and walks when it’s sunny.

O’Donnell said the daily exercise that comes with walking to and from campus is another plus.

The lack of nearby parking lots is another reason to walk to school, O’Donnell said.

“There’s not a lot of student parking,” she said. “Even if I drive, I still have to (park) far away to get to my classes.”

Freshman Hunter Howard said she lives on campus and doesn’t own a car, so walking to classes is her only option.

She said she enjoys the break of routine during her commute to classes.

“I see new people everyday,” Howard said.

Another benefit of walking for Howard is learning how to get to and from classes quicker.

She said it helps improve her time management skills.

When it comes to walking, forgetting to purchase proper shoes before classes start is a painful mistake, Howard said.

“I felt really out of shape the first week,” she said. “I have blisters all over my feet. I need to get a new pair of shoes.”

Logan Raschke can be reached at 581-2812 or at lrraschke@eiu.edu.