Last year, Golden Empire Transit, received a grant permitting free rides for students ranging from kindergarten through college. The program is continuing this school year and remains active until May 2024, allowing students the opportunity to once again rely on public transit.
According to GET, last year’s passes are still valid for rides during the beginning months of the 2023-2024 school year until GET issues new passes to schools. GET anticipates the new passes will become available sometime in September or October
For students at Bakersfield College that do not have a bus pass, they are available for pick up at the Office of Student Life. To obtain a pass, students need to scan the provided QR code and fill out a quick survey. However, one important note is that students in 7th grade or higher must present their school ID while boarding the bus. Kern Transit is another public transportation service that is free to all current students who have student ID, according to their website.
For any students outside of Bakersfield College, passes can be obtained from their school’s respective administrative offices. The passes are valid for all fixed routes and On Demand Paratransit, meaning the pass can take students all around town for free, not just to school.
Bakersfield College student, Harmony Contreras says, “It’s helpful for anyone that may not be able to afford it.”
For anyone wondering how to plan a route on the bus, the Transit app provides real time updates and can let you know when the busses are coming or going and when you should arrive at the stop. Kern Transit will have all arrivals and departers listed on website. Coming back to school has been made even easier with free rides and the Transit app.