The savings on the metro bus go round and round Metro University Pass, which was once exclusive to students, may soon be available to staff

SOFI MATZAGANIAN

Campus Life Editor

@sofimatz students, all that is needed to qualify for the the U-Pass program is enrollment in classes at Pierce College. Once students purchase the pass, they will receive a sticker that has smart chip technology, which they will place on their student I.D.

The University Pass system, which has found student success, will soon extend to staff, making public transportation more affordable.

U-Pass is a metro card that lowers the cost per ride. The plan is to eventually include staff and the general public. Metro passes can cost nearly $1,000 a year, however with U-Pass, students and eventually faculty will be able to buy a bus pass for only $195.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY Danielle Padilla/Roundup

The

U-Pass community. daily basis. If U-Pass was available to faculty and staff it would help reduce the amount of money spent on public transportation.

According to Administrative Analyst Brian Silk they are working on a new program with Metro for a U-Pass for the staff, and eventually want to offer this to the community as well.

According to Silk, there is no minimum number of participants for the U-Pass program to be available to the staff. At maximum, the price will be $50 per month per employee.

Additionally, these fees will be charged according to the number of trips an individual makes. With the pass, each ride will cost a staff member a discounted amount of about $1.40.

Pierce Bookstore Assistant Manager of the Bookstore Candy Van said they hope to make the store a place where the public can buy their metro cards. “We are working to get it for

A student cut his knee at the Center for Sciences and paramedics transported him to the hospital.

10/2

•Vandalism

A door knob was broken off a door at the Earth Sciences building.

10/2

•Hit and Run

A student reported that her vehicle was hit in Parking Lot 1.

10/3

•Verbal Altercation

Two students had an arguement in the South Gym.

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•Trespassing the entire community,” Van said.

Someone was warned and advised that the cross country area is closed to the public.

“We’re interested in signing a contract to be the authorized seller of the bus passes.”

Students can purchase a pass by going to the school’s website, taking a survey and bringing in proof of completion of the survey to the Bookstore. After approval from the store, the student can then get the smart chip sticker.

U-Pass has been available to students for the last two years, and is currently being made possible for not only the staff, but the general public as well.

Van said she would eventually want the student store to be able to sell passes to everyone outside of the Pierce community. This will make it possible for members of the general community to come to the Bookstore and purchase a metro pass for themselves, thus benefiting from the discount as well.

10/3

•Traffic Collision

No one was injured in a the two-vehicle traffic collision near the stadium.

10/4

•Verbal Altercation and Battery

A male and female were fighting in Parking Lot 7.

Pierce College Sheriff’s Station General Information: Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311