Parking fees for CSUDH students are currently $200 per semester or $10 per day. Photo By: Sandy Ravaloniaina, Courtesy of Unsplash.

By: Alex Avila, Staff Writer

CSUDH students and faculty are expected to return to campus on Feb. 14, and students will have to find the method of transportation if they aren’t driving to campus or do not wish to pay for a parking permit. CSUDH provides a handful of resources for students to commute to and from campus.

Students can apply for a monthly bus pass for the 2022 spring and fall semesters to commute to the CSUDH campus. The discounted TAP cards will be $22 per month, compared to the regular price of $43. Regular price applies during the summer and winter terms. 

The TAP card is a resource students can use if they are currently enrolled in classes that will be returning in person on Feb. 14, students without vehicles, save money on gas and parking permits. Peter Camarena is an East Los Angeles College (ELAC) student who is currently taking advantage of the discounted TAP card. ELAC students returned to their campuses on Feb. 1st

“Because of COVID, I would still prefer to stay home[…] but I don’t have much of a choice.” The information on the discounted TAP card was a great help for his future commute. “My girlfriend told me about the TAP card for students and signed up, it’s been useful for me since I don’t have a car and is applicable for everyday travel,” said Camarena.

Students that wish to apply for the reduced fare TAP card must visit both the CSUDH Student Bus Pass page and the TAP card website. Applicants are required to provide documentation, such as a current full-face photo and an official photo ID (ID card, driver’s license, or a passport).

“Undocumented students may provide a driver’s license, a visa, or passport as an official photo ID”, said a TAP card representative. Lastly, students must provide one proof of enrollment, such as a current registration receipt, including the school term, schedule or units, a printout of their enrollment units, stamped by the registrar’s office. 

Undergraduate students must have at least 12 units minimum, for three consecutive months. Graduate students need a minimum of eight units for three uninterrupted months. 

The TAP card can be used throughout Los Angeles County, and any one of the 26 participating transit systems, such as Metro, Long Beach Transit, Huntington Park Unlimited, Carson Circuit, and many more.

The TAP card is a resource students can use if they are currently enrolled in classes that will be returning in person on Feb. 14, students without vehicles, save money on gas and parking permits. 

Alternatively, students may take up the CSUDH rideshare program. The rideshare program is a resource for commuters to identify potential carpoolers in targeted areas.

For more information, students may head to the CSUDH website, call the CSUDH transportation services and rideshare office at (310) 243-2893, or send an email to rideshare@csudh.edu. The Business hours are Monday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.