Soron Bock-Larsen/Flickr
As a student there is no way I can afford driving without breaking my piggy bank. Even when you have a job, driving is pretty expensive. Gas, insurance, maintenance, and repairs are a couple hundred dollars each month.
I have always used public transportation and have found it to be less expensive. As a bonus, many universities have programs to help students pay for public transportation, like bus passes.
The University of Colorado has a student bus pass program that offers enrolled students a free pass sticker through its environmental center. While Seattle University students can get a discount of 55% off the full price of their buss pass if they meet the requirements.
Although there are some drawbacks to taking the bus – like having to wake up extra early – one of the benefits is the low cost. A monthly bus pass in Los Angeles is $62. Then I applied for a student bus card with my local transportation authority. The student bus pass is $36, almost half the original price. A couple months ago, the university I attend began a student transit subsidy program allowing students to purchase their bus passes for $15 – that’s a savings of $47 a month!
I’m not lucky. I did my homework. My school is not the only one. Many universities have similar programs to help students pay for their bus passes. A call to the student affairs office could pay off. If that office can’t help you, ask them who would manage transportation programs.
The discounts are not limited to students. Senior citizens and disabled riders may also qualify for discounts through their local transportation authority. Give them a call to find out.
If you use public transportation to get to work, inquire in the human resources office for discounts. Many companies are now helping their employees by paying part of their bus pass fee or covering it completely under employee benefits.
Related posts:
Free defensive driving lesson for teens
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
Yazmin / Julia: Except that when the school year ended so ends the student discount pass (June 8th it ended) No summer discount passes. Regular Bus Pass in Los Angeles will increase to $75.00 as of July 1st which also increases all other passes. Might be a better post for mid July or early August when the spring semester for colleges begins.
@Marie It all depends on the university and the type of discount they give their students. The University of Colorado gives students a free pass sticker if they are enrolled in summer classes.
You’re right about the monthly pass increasing in LA, but that is only for the regular pass. The discounted passes will remain the same.
Found this on metro.net:
“On July 1, 2010 Metro’s current regular cash fare of $1.25 will increase to $1.50 under the provisions of Measure R, which was passed by Los Angeles County voters in November 2008. At the same time, the new fare structure mandates that fares for seniors, students, the disabled and Medicare recipients not be increased and remain at current levels until 2013.”
You also have to wait at least a month to get the $36 pass, and since it expires at the end of the month you have to time it exactly right or else you’ll lose days. Example: if it doesnt arrive until July 8th, it still expires on the 31st, so now you’ve paid for a full month but lost 8 days’ worth.
Also, the LA Community College district, which are the only local colleges doing the $15 pass that I know of, is discontinuing the program. They may or may not offer it in the fall, but if they do, that will be it.
And I am SOL for the summer, since they don’t offer summer passes. I’m trying to get by by walking everywhere or only taking one or two buses, and it’s awful.
Plus the buses are extremely unpleasant and sometimes dangerous out here. (Not that I let that stop me, I never would!)
But unless you’re wealthy, the bus is still the only way to go!
You might still be able to get a monthly bus pass with a student discount for the summer months. Kaplan College is still having success with the regular application form and a proof of enrollment letter.
@Chrystal Some of the buses can be pretty awful but there are some good ones. Have you ever been on the subway or light rails? I think those are the best. I also like the Santa Monica bus system.
@Pam T. Can anyone get it with a letter of enrollment from their school or do they have to be enrolled in Kaplan College?
Most schools can provide you with the required enrollment contract or proof of enrollment letter. My boyfriend goes to a private art school, and they were also able to give him the required documentation.