Temple University: Commuting Student Population Insights

Temple University, a public institution founded in 1884, has a large number of students who commute to class daily. With a total undergraduate enrollment of over 21,000 students, the majority (81%) live off-campus, and only about 11,000 live on or near the Main Campus. The university's campuses are easily accessible by various means of transportation, including car, shuttle bus, and public transport, making it convenient for students who travel to attend classes.

81% of Temple University students live off-campus

Temple University, with its urban campus setting in Philadelphia, is easily accessible for students who choose to commute. In fact, 81% of students live off-campus. The university offers a variety of resources for these students, including off-campus housing services and shuttle bus services to and from campus.

Temple University's Main Campus can be reached via SEPTA, Philadelphia's public transportation system, which includes buses and subways. The Broad Street Line subway, also known as the Orange Line, stops at Cecil B. Moore station, which is close to campus. Students can also take the regional rail to the Temple University station or the North Broad Street station. The university's Office of Campus Operations provides a shuttle service with stops at five destinations, including the Main Campus and the Health Sciences Center.

For those who commute by car, Temple's Main Campus offers 11 parking lots with safe and affordable daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Students can sign up for parking through the TU Parking Account system or by visiting the Office of Parking Services.

The decision to commute to Temple University can be influenced by various factors. Some students opt to stay at home due to comfort, convenience, or affordability. Others may choose to live off-campus in nearby neighbourhoods or rent apartments or houses close to campus. While commuting can offer certain advantages, it also presents challenges, such as time management and longer travel times. Balancing academic, work, and social commitments can be a hurdle for commuters, especially when dealing with unreliable public transportation or lengthy commutes.

Despite the benefits of living at home or off-campus, students who reside on campus tend to report a higher sense of collegiate community, as indicated by a 2013 study by the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. To address this, Temple University has designated spaces for commuters, such as the commuter lounge on the corner of Berks and Warnock streets. However, some students have expressed a desire for additional hang-out spaces on the Main Campus, as the current options may not always meet their needs in terms of comfort and availability.

Students can commute to Temple University via bus, subway, regional rail, or Amtrak

Temple University is easily accessible via various transportation methods, making it convenient for students who commute to campus. Out of the more than 29,000 students enrolled at Temple University, only about 11,000 live on or near the Main Campus, with the rest likely commuting from other areas. Students can commute to Temple University via bus, subway, regional rail, or Amtrak, depending on their location and preferences.

Commuting to Temple University by bus is a feasible option, with several bus routes serving the area. Students can take bus number 4 or 16, which run north and south along Broad Street, or opt for bus number 3, travelling east and west along Cecil B. Moore Avenue between 33rd Street and the Frankford Transportation Center.

The subway is another convenient choice for students. The Broad Street Line, also known as the Orange Line due to its distinctively coloured cars, provides access to the university by exiting at the Cecil B. Moore station.

Additionally, students can commute by regional rail, with two station options available. The Temple University station is located at 10th and Berks streets, while the North Broad Street station is situated at the intersection of Broad Street and West Huntingdon Street.

For those travelling from further afield, Amtrak offers a viable option to reach the Main Campus. The North Philadelphia Amtrak station, located at Broad Street and Glenwood Avenue, provides a convenient point of access for students commuting to Temple University.

Each mode of transportation has its advantages and considerations, and students can choose the option that best suits their individual needs and circumstances.

The university provides shuttle buses to five destinations

Temple University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,720 students as of Fall 2023, with 81% of students living off-campus. The number of students commuting to Temple University is not publicly available, but it can be assumed that a significant portion of the 81% of students living off-campus commute to the university.

The shuttle services include the Flight service, which is a nighttime fixed-route shuttle loop service that operates within and around the Main Campus patrol zone. Flight-branded shuttles have over 50 drop-off and pick-up locations and arrive approximately every 15 minutes. The service is free for members of the Temple community and can be tracked in real time using the TransLoc app.

In addition to the shuttle services, Temple University's Main Campus can be easily accessed by SEPTA, Philadelphia's public transportation system. Public transportation options include buses, subways, and regional rail. For graduate students who commute by car, there are 11 parking lots on the Main Campus that offer daily, weekly, or monthly parking.

Students can take advantage of discounted public transport passes

Temple University's Main Campus is easily accessible by SEPTA, Philadelphia's public transportation system. Students can take advantage of discounted public transport passes, such as the SEPTA University Pass, which offers a discount of almost 10% for passengers. The pass is valid for a semester and can be purchased by full-time students.

However, some students have expressed that the current discount is insufficient, and the university should strive to offer free public transportation. This would ease financial burdens, especially for students from low-income backgrounds, and encourage the use of sustainable transportation methods.

In response to this, SEPTA launched the Key Advantage UPass Program, which provides heavily discounted monthly transit passes to university students. The introductory price is $100 per student for four months or $150 for six months, which is almost a 90% discount on the regular price. This program not only makes transportation more affordable but also helps the university meet its climate goals by reducing travel emissions and promoting sustainable transportation methods.

Additionally, Temple University offers other initiatives to promote sustainable commuting, such as the WageWorks program, which allows full-time employees to pay for public transportation with pre-tax money, and the Bike Temple initiative, which encourages the use of bicycles as an eco-friendly alternative to commuting by car.

Students report balancing travel and time management as a challenge

Students at Temple University have reported challenges in balancing travel and time management, with many having to commute long distances to attend classes. Of the more than 29,000 students enrolled at Temple University, only about 11,000 live on or near the Main Campus, with 81% of students living off-campus. This means that a large number of students have to factor in travel time and the potential for delays and disruptions when planning their days.

Commuting students have shared their experiences with the challenges of balancing travel and time management. One student, Veronica Perez, a sophomore communication and social influence major, starts her day at 6:30 am to commute from Northeast Philadelphia, transferring between train lines to arrive at her 8 am class. She also works at Brandy Melville in Center City and has to manage her time carefully to balance school and work commitments, leaving room to finish lingering tasks.

Another student, Nicholas Romano, a freshman community development major, commutes to Temple from Center City using a combination of the trolley and train. While his time spent on public transportation is approximately 15 minutes, his total commute, including walking to and from stations and classes, is closer to 40 minutes. This extended commute time can impact his engagement with the Temple community and his hometown community.

Mariama Sarr, a sophomore criminal justice major, commutes from Northeast Philly and faces challenges with the reliability of buses and trains. She shared that missing a bus or train can result in being late for class and disrupt her entire day.

Tony Clark, a junior history major, commutes from Yardley, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour-long train ride away. He also experiences inconsistencies with the Regional Rail schedule, which typically runs once per hour outside of rush hours. Like Perez, Clark balances a job in addition to his schoolwork, and he chose to commute due to the convenience and affordability of staying at home.

To address these challenges, Temple University offers various resources for commuting students, including shuttle bus services and discounted public transportation passes. The university's Main Campus is easily accessible by public transportation, and there are parking options available for those who commute by car.

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