In Newcastle, we are blessed with multiple forms of public transport, from a large bus network, to trains, and the ever iconic Tyne and Wear Metro, there is really no excuse for not being able to get around. When you crunch the numbers, the North Easts prices are pretty unbeatable, with students being able to get around for as little as a pound when travelling single journeys on the buses and metro. Not only is this insanely cheap, but it's also convenient with both services running very frequently. Having that pop card sat in your wallet truly does pay off around here.
Now although I will argue getting the metro is a cultural experience and part of student life in Newcastle, I am not going to ignore it's floors. With trains often being late, amendments to service, it is really a battle of wills sometimes to love and praise it. However, the fact you can hop on from anywhere around the city and be at the beach in 20 minutes has to be one of my favourite things about Newcastle transport. It's also an unbeatable cheat code when you can't be bothered to walk to lectures all the way from West Jesmond or high Heaton. The characters and events you witness on them also provide as a funny anecdote to tell friends back home, and it truly is a part of student life here.
"You can get everywhere you could possibly need on the public transport around you."
Now on the other hand the bus network has only recently become part of my weekly agenda, with the twice a week trip out to Cochrane Park now meaning I'm delighted with the experience of the coast road buses. I will be completely honest I actively avoided the bus network in my first year of university. The overwhelming amount of buses to get anywhere and everywhere, and chaos that is Eldon Square and Haymarket station was enough to send fresher me into a coma. However, once you actually workout what stand and what bus to get on, your horizons of places to go suddenly gets a whole lot wider. From buses to Durham, Alnwick, and neighbouring Northumberland towns they are great way to explore the wider area of the North east, all still at a super affordable price.
Now although there is so much ease of having a car at uni, the constant nagging to take people to the supermarket and the constant lifts everywhere, the novelty can soon wear off. Plus the price of fuel, emission charges, and car insurance are all money better spent on a Co-Op meal deal, Sweet treat or a Pint. Living in city that has such a great transport system to the local area and beyond, there is really no need to fork out for a parking permit and be spending your weekly budget at the car wash.
You can get everywhere you could possibly need on the public transport around you, so I would argue you really don't need to have a car whilst spending your time in Newcastle as a student, so save yourself some cash a grab a ticket for the bus or metro.