Don't Pollute! Change the Way You Commute
The Commuter Services Office provides faculty, staff, and students with an extensive Rideshare Program. The following programs are available to assist you in your commute to Cal State LA.
Student Commuting Options
Cal State LA has many commuting options available to its students. Whether you bike to campus or use one of the many public transit lines serving Cal State LA, you’ll find an inexpensive, stress-free, and great for the environment alternative to driving.
CAL STATE LA TRANSIT CENTER
The Cal State LA Transit Center hosts many local and express buses operated by both the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Foothill Transit. The Transit Center also features its very own Metrolink station, a first for a Southern California college campus. Metrolink's San Bernardino line travels east to Union Station via a single-track platform. Additionally, there are close to 18 bus lines that serve the Cal State LA campus and are operated by both the Metro and Foothill Transit. Both local and express bus lines serve the campus. Monthly fare discounts are available for students; please visit either metro.net or FoothillTransit.org for further information. Campus employees may also be eligible for monthly fare discounts. Please contact Cal State LA Commuter Services for further details.
Metro and Cal State LA have partnered to bring students a Universal College Student Transit Pass (U-Pass) Pilot Program. Through this program, qualifying students can purchase a Metro pass for the semester at a discounted rate. This college discounted transit pass is designed to streamline the process of purchasing a college student transit pass and offers students unlimited rides on Metro’s rail and bus line services. U-Passes are available all semester long, please see the proration schedule. Visit our U-Pass Information Page for more information.
The GradPass Program is a reduced fare program that will assist college graduates as they transition out of the U-Pass program and into the workforce. The GradPass Program will allow the U-Pass Program participant to purchase Metro fare at the reduced student rate for 12 consecutive months after graduation.
For more information, visit our GradPass Page.
Planning to get to Cal State LA by Uber or Lyft? Students can be dropped off at our two Uber/Lyft drop-off locations located at the Transit Center and the University Student Union (Building 5). (Refer to Parking Map for locations)
Reduced Fare passes are now on TAP!
The Metro TAP Card is a durable plastic card you can use again and again. If you're a Senior, Disabled, or Student rider, TAP makes it easier to go Metro by giving you more ways to buy your pass. You can load your TAP card at Metro Customer Centers, at pass vendors throughout the county, or at any Metro Rail or Metro Orange Line ticket vending machine. Best of all, you can reload your TAP card – at any time of the day or night. Just call 866.TAPTOGO or visit taptogo.net. Metro bus commuters will now use a “stored value” card to pay for each ride until they meet their 1-Day and/or 7-Day cap. The maximum fare a rider will pay in a 7-Day period is $18. This “cap” begins when the day the card is tapped and will be valid for seven consecutive days. Once the 7-Day period ends, a new 7-Day fare or “cap“ will start over for seven consecutive days. For Metro fare information, please visit Metro Fare Capping.
College Student Discount
Take your student ID, a copy of your current registration fee receipt, and proof of full-time status for the current or upcoming term (a minimum of 12 units/hours per week for three consecutive months for undergraduate students or 3 to 4 units/hours per week for graduate students) into a Foothill Transit Store to get a special Photo ID TAP card.
The Cal State LA Metrolink Station is located at the south end of the campus below the Metro busway. Cal State LA is the only university in Southern California to have a Metrolink train station on the campus. The Metrolink line that serves Cal State LA is the San Bernardino line, with stations in San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Montclair, Claremont, Pomona North, Covina, Baldwin Park, and El Monte.
Beginning October 9, 2023, students at Cal State LA are eligible to receive a Metrolink Student Adventure Pass, which allows them to ride the train for FREE. To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Download the Metrolink mobile app & register using your school email – verify your email address and you'll receive your Student Adventure Pass directly to your mobile app wallet.
- Activate your pass each time you ride before boarding – using the in-app ticket wallet.
- Show your student ID with your pass – your student ID is required to qualify for the Student Adventure Pass.
- On ticket machines, students can access a paper ticket using the Student/Youth ticket type when selecting a One-Way Ticket, Round-Trip Ticket, 7-Day Pass, or Monthly Pass.
For schedules and more information about the Metrolink Student Adventure Pass, visit Metrolink at metrolinktrains.com/students. For help planning your trip on Metrolink, email, call, or visit the Commuter Services Office located in the Public Safety building, at (323)343-5277.
Zipcar is another car-sharing program available for campus members 18 years or older. There are three (3) Zipcar vehicles located in reserved spaces in Lot 5 in the southwest corner near Student Housing. These Zipcar vehicles can be reserved in advance at a rate of $10.50 per hour. Annual membership fees also apply to students. For more information, visit the ZipCar webpage or contact Transportation Services via email or call (323) 343-5277.
Please visit our Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Page for more information.
There are several community-based shuttles that serve the Cal State L.A. campus. Currently, Alhambra Community Transit (ACT), City of Commerce Transit, East Los Angeles Shuttle (El Sol), the Monterey Park Shuttle (Spirit), and the Edelman’s Children’s Court Shuttle all stop on the south end of the campus during peak transit periods.
Bike to campus and secure your bicycle on one of our many bicycle racks for free or sign up for one of our bicycle lockers. Racks and lockers are located throughout the campus. Lockers are available for rent for $10 for current students per semester. Those not currently enrolled or affiliated with Cal State L.A. may rent a locker for $20, but priority is given to students and faculty/staff of Cal State LA. Please contact Commuter Services for bicycle locker availability. Free Bicycle Registration: Bring your bicycle to the Department of Public Safety along with your driver's license or Cal State LA ID and register your bicycle.
Students aged 13-25 can enjoy a 15% savings on the San Joaquins. Study, read, sleep, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way to great destinations, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara; Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton; as well as the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Sacramento, and more. With onboard Wifi, power outlets, and bike racks, the train is a smart way for students to travel through the Golden State.
For more information visit Amtrak Student Discounts | Amtrak San Joaquins.
For more information contact Transportation Services via email or call (323) 343-5277.
Cal State LA has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters
All of the above information is subject to change without notice
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