Orange Coast College has partnered with the Orange County Transportation Authority to provide students with free unlimited bus transportation on OCTA’s 53 fixed bus routes.
The new free bus program will allow all full-time, part-time and non-credit enrolled students at Coast to access OCTA’s local fixed routes via the OC Bus app for mobile phones. Students who do not own a smartphone will be provided a physical bus pass through the OCC Cares program.
“This program is part of Orange Coast College’s response to supporting the basic needs of our students,” says Dean of Student Success and Support Programs Steve Tamanaha. “One barrier for many students is transportation not just to campus but also to work, grocery shopping, and entertainment.”
Additional benefits of the free bus program include alleviating costs associated with driving to campus, including parking fees and gas costs, reducing traffic around campus, and reducing OCC’s carbon footprint. “For the community and the college, one major benefit is the sustainable and environmental aspects of increasing bus ridership to campus,” says Tamanaha. “OCC prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainable practices, and this is another part of that effort.”
Funding for the partnership will come from a combination of grant funding through OCTA and OCC’s support programs.