Telling Rice Students How to Ride METRO

If you're from out-of-town and you're going to college here, getting around without a car may seem daunting.

But Rice University student James Llamas has figured out how to use   METRO to go to popular spots - from the movies to the grocery store to both airports - and has even written two guides for Rice students on how to ride METRO. Llamas, who is on the Rice track team, is shown here as the front runner in this photo.

From Glastonbury, Conn., Llamas said he was born in New York City and is used to taking public transit.

"Pretty soon after I got here, I started figuring out METRO," said the 19-year-old sophomore. "I started figuring out bus routes and realized they went to most places I'd want to go to. I didn't need to think about finding a car. I could get around on METRO."

He spread the word to his friends, some of whom decided to leave their cars at home, avoid parking fees and take METRO instead.

Someone suggested he put together a brochure - so he wrote two and then approached Boyd Beckwith, assistant dean/director of Student Center & Campus-wide Programs, asking if he could use these.

"Next week, we'll distribute the brochures to students. We have a Facebook group and in one message I can access 800 students," said Beckwith, who calls Llamas "an avid METRO rider."

The Rice Guide to Getting Around on METRO Buses starts with informing students they can pick up a Q Card at the Rice Cashier's office. It directs students to the METRO Web site to plan trips, as well as Google Transit.

"Buses that don't travel past Rice can usually be caught by transferring from METRORail," he writes, adding that most routes run every 15 to 30 minutes. "Bus drivers are not permitted to run early; a couple of minutes behind schedule is the norm."

And he doesn't skimp on the basics of public transit, explaining in detail how to read the bus signs. "Make sure you are visible to the driver so he or she will stop," he points out to transit novices.

Llamas points out that "the sideways-facing seats at the very front of the bus are reserved for elderly and disable passengers."

So where are the hot spots Llamas is directing other students to?

The Galleria for what he calls "ultimate shopping;" CVS, Walgreens, Value Village, Salvation Army, The Movie Theatre at Edwards Greenway Plaza, Chinatown, Target and Fiesta.

Maps on the back of the brochure indicate bus stops near the Rice campus.

The companion brochure, The Rice Guide to Houston Airports on METRO Buses, explains how to get to both Hobby Airport and Bush Intercontinental.

"In the past, some of the students knew about Airport Direct, but they didn't know they could take the bus to Hobby. It's so easy to get to Hobby using METRO," said Beckwith.

In addition to listing our Web site, phone number and METRO police phone number, Llamas adds his e-mail if students need additional directions.

A civil engineering major, Llamas says one day he hopes to design railroads or transit systems. With brochures like these - accurate, clear and well-written - Llamas already has a great start in public transit.