Golden Empire Transit providing free passes to students

Free bus rides available now through May 31

By California State University, Bakersfield

January 12^th, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield students have access to free bus rides for the spring semester.

Thanks to a grant from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program administered by Caltrans, Golden Empire Transit (GET) is providing free passes to CSUB students, as well for all Bakersfield students from kindergarten through community college. The passes are available now through May 31.

“Golden Empire Transit is excited to receive this grant to help provide free rides for students K-12 through college. We hope students will take this opportunity to ride public transit,” said CEO Karen King.

CSUB students can pick up their passes at the Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Office in the Student Union. Students must present their university ID to receive a pass.

“We are so excited about the grant that GET was able to secure so that all CSUB students have the ability to ride the bus for free,” said Ilaria Pesco, ASI executive director and assistant vice president of Student Success/Student Affairs. “This program will allow students to not have to worry about the cost of getting to campus each day for class, to the use the library, or to attend campus events. It’s programs like this that help our students move closer to getting their degree.”

In addition to being available at the ASI office, the Sustainability and Energy Management Department will be handing out passes on Red Brick Road outside of Dorothy Donahoe Hall next week during CSUB’s Week of Welcome, Jan. 23-27.

The table will be available Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kern Transit is also offering free rides to students with valid ID cards through May.

Energy and Sustainability Specialist Jennifer Sanchez Biedermann said the free rides are a great way to make transportation more sustainable on campus.

“Sustainability is only possible with the simultaneous balance of environment, equity and economy — this program checks all three boxes,” she said. “The bus passes will not only help our students fulfill an important transportation need but provide a no-cost option to contribute to improved air quality for our region.”

Each time when riding a GET bus, students will be required to show both their school ID as well as the pass, which can be used to go anywhere within the district’s service area.

While the free passes are only available to students, CSUB faculty can receive 50% off monthly bus passes, for a total cost of $20 per month. A faculty or staff ID is required to receive the discounted passes.