Written by Alessandra Hickson
Since the campus is relatively far from many places students would like to go, walking isn’t really an option. If you don’t have a car, public transportation will be your salvation. It’s a good thing there’s such an extensive system of bus routes running throughout the Pioneer Valley, which can technically all be reached by hopping on and off various buses, beginning with the ones that stop on campus. It will take a while, though. There are only two bus routes that stop on campus, both driven by UMass students and intended to allow MHC students to get to off-campus classes. Hence, they will come often during the week and less often on weekends, although there are some late-night buses on Friday and Saturday nights. You might find yourself waiting for an hour or more at some bus stops, which can be hellish in the winter.
Finding transportation off campus is not that hard, but it can get expensive quickly. A cab ride from South Hadley to Springfield costs between $30 and $40. It is highly recommended that you take the PVTA whenever possible, although, of course, you won’t always be able to do this. There’s where the Mount Holyoke community comes in handy. If you’re desperate for a ride, chances are you’ll be able to find a fellow student who will drive you where you need to go. Rides to and from the airport are regularly advertised around break times at half the cost of the Valley Transporter. Carpooling is also an option. So, while you may need to be more resourceful about finding a ride than you would have to be in a city, you can still get pretty much wherever you need to go.