2008 Woodie Awards
Shuttle bus set to connect LAC and PCC
Michael Brown
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
Beginning in Spring 2009, students making the commute from the LAC to the PCC may be in for some relief courtesy of the Associated Student Body after it approved partial funding for a potential shuttle between the campuses.
As part of the deal, the ASB, along with the College District, agreed to allocate $60,000 each, covering the pilot program for three years. After the pilot period is completed, both the district and ASB will re-evaluate the services viability.
Under the agreement, speculation is that a single bus would travel Monday through Friday to both campuses, possibly stopping at two designated areas at the PCC and two at the LAC.
ASB Vice President John Kindred, who has worked on the project for several semesters, said, "It's good to finally see this happen after all of this time. I've done everything from take surveys to asking other students and bus riders between both campuses would they support this kind of program."
Although an agreement was reached, details are still sketchy about some of the logistic concerns. Routes have yet to be determined and a decision hasn't been made about who would have free access. Hours also are not set in stone.
ASB President LaTonya Neal said that she hopes to form a committee to further examine the shuttle's details. Kindred speculated that many of the issues could be resolved by November.
He said, "There's a possibility that students with college services card stickers would ride for free and students without the sticker could be charged a small fee, but none of that's been agreed upon yet."
One of the motivating reasons why the LAC-PCC shuttle may be implemented is due to students who attend both campuses. The PCC's offering of more liberal arts classes has made it an option for students pursuing their associate of arts degrees.
Traditionally, the PCC has offered a majority of classes dealing with trades and certificated programs. However, more courses are now being offered that count toward obtaining an A.A. degree.
Kindred is optimistic that if the shuttle service is successful, it could benefit students in many ways.
He said, "This could make LBCC even more popular than it is now because you could draw in a lot of people who don't have transportation and don't want to hassle with chasing Long Beach Transits all day."
Kindred added, "It could also reduce the wear and tear on people's cars and allow them to get around these gas prices."
LBCC student Phillip Powell, who rides the Transit between both campuses said, "It's a good idea if they can make it work. I'll stay tuned and see if this can happen because I carry a full load (of classes) and I work part-time. The convenience would help."
As part of the deal, the ASB, along with the College District, agreed to allocate $60,000 each, covering the pilot program for three years. After the pilot period is completed, both the district and ASB will re-evaluate the services viability.
Under the agreement, speculation is that a single bus would travel Monday through Friday to both campuses, possibly stopping at two designated areas at the PCC and two at the LAC.
ASB Vice President John Kindred, who has worked on the project for several semesters, said, "It's good to finally see this happen after all of this time. I've done everything from take surveys to asking other students and bus riders between both campuses would they support this kind of program."
Although an agreement was reached, details are still sketchy about some of the logistic concerns. Routes have yet to be determined and a decision hasn't been made about who would have free access. Hours also are not set in stone.
ASB President LaTonya Neal said that she hopes to form a committee to further examine the shuttle's details. Kindred speculated that many of the issues could be resolved by November.
He said, "There's a possibility that students with college services card stickers would ride for free and students without the sticker could be charged a small fee, but none of that's been agreed upon yet."
One of the motivating reasons why the LAC-PCC shuttle may be implemented is due to students who attend both campuses. The PCC's offering of more liberal arts classes has made it an option for students pursuing their associate of arts degrees.
Traditionally, the PCC has offered a majority of classes dealing with trades and certificated programs. However, more courses are now being offered that count toward obtaining an A.A. degree.
Kindred is optimistic that if the shuttle service is successful, it could benefit students in many ways.
He said, "This could make LBCC even more popular than it is now because you could draw in a lot of people who don't have transportation and don't want to hassle with chasing Long Beach Transits all day."
Kindred added, "It could also reduce the wear and tear on people's cars and allow them to get around these gas prices."
LBCC student Phillip Powell, who rides the Transit between both campuses said, "It's a good idea if they can make it work. I'll stay tuned and see if this can happen because I carry a full load (of classes) and I work part-time. The convenience would help."
Be the first to comment on this story