CSUDH student waiting for metro Bus 51 on a late afternoon. Photo: Kimberly Resendiz.
By Kimberly Resendiz, Staff Reporter
As a former California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) student, Carina Melgoza Chavez, understands the struggle of taking public transportation to school. Her commute would vary from one hour up to one hour and 30 minutes, depending on the bus schedules and traffic.
Chavez would rely on two buses or sometimes one if she decided to walk part of her commute.
Chavez relied on the Metro line and sometimes took an Uber or Lyft due to the bus schedule delay. She was a full-time student attending school Monday through Thursday, and would spend around $20 per week on public transportation.
Public transportation can be cheaper using it on a day-to-day basis instead of using a car or paying for an Uber, but it definitely has a negative impact as well.
At times, public transportation can be unreliable, causing the person to arrive late to their destination. In other cases, there can be people that make one feel unsafe, it can be dirty, or seats are not available.
Erick Molina, a freshman at CSUDH, mentioned that taking the bus can be challenging since he has to wait for the bus to arrive, although it does take him to his destination. In addition, paying for the bus can be expensive since Molina takes two buses, spending around $25 per week.
With inflation on the rise, saving money is a must. Unfortunately, many students are unaware of the Student Bus Pass CSUDH provides. The Vocational TAP card is a $22 per month card fee for the Fall and Spring semesters compared to the regular price $43 per month. The Vocational TAP card only applies for the Metro line such as 246, 51, and 53. These bus lines are the common ones used by CSUDH students to get to their destination.
Nedvelt Perez, an incoming freshman at CSUDH, was unaware of the Vocational TAP but he is considering applying for it. Perez is aware of inflation and said, “I feel as if inflation will affect me only slightly since I take the bus to school and back twice a week, but for other students it will have a bigger effect considering most of them go to school for most of the week.”
Based on the CSUDH website, some requirements must be met to qualify for the College/Vocational discount. For example, the student must provide a full-face photo, official photo ID, and proof of enrollment. If the student is an undergraduate, they must have 12 units minimum for three consecutive months in the current term to apply.
If the student is a graduate, they must have eight units minimum for three consecutive months in the current term to apply.
The application must be completed first. Once the student receives their TAP card, a request must be submitted via the student’s email. The office will verify the student’s eligibility with instructions. Students must then visit the Cashier’s Office, complete payment, and load their TAP card. Every month the student will have to pay a monthly processing fee.
It is recommended that students apply a month prior because the verification process takes from two to three weeks to complete.
Based on the College Board website, transportation takes up almost 20% of students’ income. Students who take public transportation are saving money in the long run but with the Vocational TAP card they will be saving much more money. After all, being a college student on a budget can be challenging.
For more information about the Vocational Tap card, follow the link below. You can also contact them via email, rideshare@csudh.edu or phone call, (310) 243-2893.
