Shuttle between campuses saves students time and money

By Marvin Garcia |Staff Writer|

The CSUSB shuttle program has implemented a commuting resource for students on both the Palm Desert campus (PDC) and the main campus.

The shuttle not only gives students the opportunity to attend both campuses, but also as means for affordable transportation.

The shuttle started as a pilot program intended to help students gain more access to the variety of programs and services provided on both campuses, such as the John M. Pfau Library and involvement in campus activities, groups, and events.

Sharon Brown-Welty, Dean of the PDC, stated this initiative came after CSUSB President Tomas D. Morales met with students during the 2013 Fall quarter who expressed their interest in having a shuttle that could grant them such conveniences.

The program has also been convenient for university staff, who use the shuttle to attend meetings on both campuses.

“It is a great way to contribute to students’ learning. It has been a real good resource for us,” said CSUSB graduate student Tony Zalsedo.

To determine the shuttle’s operating schedule, the Parking and Transportation Services Department distributed a survey to all students on both campuses that consisted of different options and asked about why they would use the service.

Based on feedback, it was decided slight changes would be made to the original schedule to better meet student needs.

However, Alondra Solis said she likes the fact there is a commuting service, but preferred the previous schedule over the current one.

During the program’s conception, there was no opposition as long as it was guaranteed that the conditions of transportation were appropriate for students.
These included having a large enough van, the correct timing of drop-offs and pick-ups, and the students take advantage of this service.

“It has made it better for me to take classes on the main campus because the PDC doesn’t offer the ones in my major,” said student Omar Fernandez. “While students in Palm Desert struggle to get 12 units, I can easily take 16 here.”

Overall, students take the shuttle agree that they wish for the program to be kept and remain functional for future quarters.

The shuttle operates weekly from Monday-Friday.

The first shuttle leaves from PDC to CSUSB at 6:50 a.m.-8:20 P.M. and at 3:30 P.M.-5:00 P.M.; the CSUSB to PDC shuttle leaves at 9:00 a.m .-10:30 a.m. and at 6:10 p.m.-7:40 p.m.