BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — According to Bakersfield College, Kern Transit is set to continue offering free rides for college students this Fall semester.
The program provided over 25,000 free rides for students last year, Bob Neath, manager for Kern Transit said the department hopes to provide even more rides this year.
"We looked at that as an opportunity to provide free transportation for Bakersfield College students from the outlying areas, outside of Bakersfield who might not otherwise had an opportunity to attend college," said Neath.
The program is funded through the state grant, 'Low Carbon Transit Operations Program'.
Demitrius Daniel, a student at Bakersfield College commutes from Central Bakersfield but said the program allows him to save money and time. "There's a lot of students who do use it and need it," said Daniel.
In a news release, Bakersfield College said "enrolled Bakersfield College students can focus on their studies and take advantage of the free Kern Transit rides that will begin in two weeks for the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester and will continue until the end of finals week on December 14, 2019."
The average cost of bus fare on a local Kern Transit route can cost students up to two-dollars for a ride.
"This little one small thing can go a long way for a lot of students," said Dr. Nicky Damania, Director of Student Life at Bakersfield College. "This is one way that Bakersfield College and Kern Transit is providing service for access, for barriers, for education."
School officials said students will need to show a valid student ID to be able to ride free on all 100-numbered routes.
The routes available to students on Kern Transit allows them to travel throughout the county to stops in Tehachapi, Delano and even Santa Clarita.
For more information on routes click here.
