Three university students reflect on their experiences commuting long distances
Vansh Malhotra (he/him) // Contributor
Siohán Barry (she/her) // Illustrator
Commuting to the Capilano University campus is an integral part of many students’ lives. More than just a journey, it is an experience that shapes students’ sentiments as they balance academic life, work pressure and extracurricular activities. The experiences of students vary significantly, and every person faces different routes, schedules, and transit challenges during their commute.
I accompanied Gurpreet Singh, an international student, on one of his campus commutes from his residence in Surrey.
“Here comes Bus 325!” Singh exclaims as I stand with him at the bus stop across the street from his residence on 140 Street. He steps onto the bus with a dispassionate look and sits right at the back. He says that students often face demanding routines and yet they are expected to offer their seats to anyone who assumes the youth can stand comfortably without any issues.
As the bus departs, Singh takes out his phone to update changes to a project, knowing that he has 20 minutes before he reaches the SkyTrain at Surrey Central Station. However, the bus halts after 10 minutes so that the drivers can change. I keep staring out the window and checking my watch as the bus shows no indication of leaving, standing motionless for five minutes. Singh shrugs and explains that such delays happen frequently. He also adds that changing bus drivers can sometimes take significant time without prior warning. I notice his expression becoming churlish and decide to stay silent.
It has been almost two years that Singh has been commuting from Surrey for his Business Diploma classes at CapU. Although he appreciates the organized transit system in Vancouver compared to his home country of India, he says that commuting from Surrey has become stressful. It takes him almost one and a half hours to reach the campus. Moreover, there is no straightforward route from Surrey, due to multiple transfers. Once he jumps on the SkyTrain, he has to patiently stand with a smile for 20 minutes, before getting off at Metrotown Station. Then, he has to wait for a bus to Phibbs Exchange, which takes him around 30 minutes. From Phibbs Exchange, he catches the final bus to CapU.
Singh also expressed annoyance when a large class of kindergarteners and their teachers unexpectedly boarded one of the buses during his commute. He says that this has happened twice during the summer term, and he remembers that the continuous noises of whistling and shouting added a level of discomfort to his commute. He also noted that some of the kids pulled the stop cord constantly, causing the bus to halt at each stop, even when no one wanted to get on or off. As a result, he felt mentally strained by the time he arrived at the campus for his first class.
Despite Singh’s mixed experience, some students have discovered public transit serves as a sort of therapy helping them build confidence and personal growth. Baljinder Singh expresses joy as he shares how public transit has contributed to his overall development, including social skills. He is in the Post-Bachelor Global Hospitality and Tourism program. He arrived in Canada two months ago from India.
While commuting from South Surrey twice a week for his summer classes, Singh mentions that he met some classmates who use the same transit route, including one who lives in his neighbourhood. Commuting to the campus with his peers helped him build friendships and form new connections in Canada. Singh also believes that the long transit time from Surrey is manageable, and proper planning and time management can lead one to discover “the positive side of commuting through public transport.”
Mateusz Grab, a BBA student, offers a balanced perspective. He explains that as a full-time student, he commutes to CapU on average three times a week from the Killarney-Vancouver neighbourhood. Sometimes he drives to the campus for morning lectures, but mostly takes the bus for afternoon classes. Grab says, “My experience with using public transportation has been satisfactory. I was able to commute on time without delays. But there were days when the bus was also out of service.”
Although Grab agrees that transit delays pose a problem, he also acknowledges that such issues are common only during morning lectures. Moreover, he also appreciates the affordability incentive, praising the U-Pass that gives freedom to students, and allowing unlimited access to transit, regardless of transfers. He is concerned about the rising fuel prices, and that the cost of driving—or even a taxi trip to campus—is higher than what he earns in two hours at his part-time landscaping job.
Gurpreet Singh shares the frustrations of long commutes and unexpected disruptions, while Baljinder Singh appreciates the commute and sees it as an opportunity for personal growth and social connection. Grab praises the convenience and affordability of public transit, even amidst the inconvenience of unforeseen delays. He also believes that using public transit is not a choice for him, but a mandatory part of life, given the economic constraints of driving a car. Clearly, there is no one-size-fits-all solution here.