The Shuttles

School shuttles allow students to get around campus in a minimum amount of time.  According to some students, the shuttles are highly dependable and very efficient.

There are three shuttles that CSULB provides students.  There is an east shuttle, west shuttle and the all-campus shuttle.  I spoke with some students on how the shuttle impacts their daily routine.

I interviewed an art student on why she takes the shuttle and she stated, "All my classes are upper campus and carrying my artboad, that thing is almost as big as me." She also said that its heavy and walking the stairs is hard to do. 

Another student, Leslie Campos, said the shuttles were pretty much on time and they are pretty dependable.  "They are on time, I use it all the time since I live on campus and I can even check to see if they are on time with my phone."  She also claimed the drivers of the shuttles are "cool" people and that the shuttles are very dependable.

The shuttles make it easy to get to and from class, the shuttles also connect up with the U-Pass.  They arrive at the same stops for students who come from one bus to the shuttle.  The shuttles can, sometimes, become crowded and making some students wait for the other shuttle.

Both of the students I interviewed said that depending on the driver, students can ride the shuttle on certain "standing room" areas (the steps).  This could be a danger but students don't mind if it means that they get to class on time.

You can check out these websites to check the shuttle routes and where they are at on the route.  You can also visit this website to see the arrival time of the shuttle at the stop nearest you.

CSULB Shuttle

Alternate to Mainstream

The U-Pass system has helped students get around campus since its beginning and has steadily increased since then.  Since the start of the U-Pass in 2008, the amount of trips the bus takes has increased from about 5,000 to about 6,500 and has even reached up to 8,000.  In 2008, the U-Pass made approximately 85,000 trips to and around campus.

What does this mean? According to Allissa Thomas from the CSULB Alternative Transportation Department, bus traffic (U-Pass and campus shuttles) has increased significantly.  "One bus trip takes about 35 cars off the road," stated Thomas.  With the increase in bus traffic around campus, is it safe to say that people are finding other ways to campus besides driving?

Over the last three years the U-Pass has saved on average of 188,662.5 gallons of gas.  In a society where is some places gas is $4.00 a gallon, that is saying that people are taking alternate ways to, from, and around campus.  While talking to Allissa Thomas, she stated that they are trying to turn the alternative into the mainstream.

Over the last three years the amount of bike traffic has nearly doubled because of the accessibility on campus.  The newly made bike path on Palo Verde Ave. is an example how the campus is becoming less dependent of cars and more "geared" for alternative transportation.

As a commuting student, I am trying to find other ways to campus because gas is becoming too expensive.  At this rate, I will not be able to afford gas and will need another way to get to school.

Alternate Transportation
U-Pass:  Long Beach Transit
Metro:  The MTA operates 2,258 buses on 185 routes and 18,500 bus stops.  They do offer a student transit pass and you can purchase one at the University Bookstore.  MetroLink
OCTA: For those who live in Orange County, there is a bus line for you as well.  The OCTA has 3 routes that directly serve the campus.  OCTA

To find out more information on alternate transportation you can visit: http://daf.csulb.edu/offices/ppfm/parking/program/rideshare/

The Intro

Transportation to and from California State University Long Beach (CSULB) has been noted as not being able to find a parking spot the first few weeks of the semester and students trying to find parking spots that don't require a parking permit because students are trying to "cut corners" in spending.  For those students who live on campus or not very far from campus have a variety of ways to getting to school; shuttles, busses, bikes, skateboards, even scooters (yes, even if that sounds silly).  Those students don't need a permit and transportation is less taxing than that of a student that commutes.  If you look on the corner of Palos Verde and Atherton you can see a whole row of cars that seem to belong to students but don't have a parking permit.  Why would you park that far away when you can park in the new structure just one block away?  In my next post I will hopefully have the exact number of parking permits purchased.  Commuting to campus can be expensive, not only finacially but mentally.

I am a student that commutes to school, about 15 to 20 miles one way.  That adds up in gas, especially if you work outside school, and especially with the way gas prices keep going up are students trying to cut down on where and how often they drive?  Spending all the time driving around town sometimes can be irritating, at least to me anyway.    For those of you who read this, I'm interested in finding out how you get to school and if you commute does the following paragraph relate to you?  My next post will have more information regarding student transportation.  If you would like to help contribute to the information you can email me at nicolisfreeman9@gmail.com.