USAC office to offer students round-trip bus ride to UC Berkeley
(Creative Commons photo by John Morgan via Flickr)
By April Hoang
March 3, 2016 11:43 p.m.
Students can sign up to take a round-trip ride to UC Berkeley at the start of spring break for $100, through an undergraduate student government program.
Ruhi Patil, Undergraduate Students Associated Council Financial Supports commissioner, said she has partnered with Sharethebus, a transportation provider, to allow UCLA students another way to return home or meet friends in Northern California.
Patil said students who participate will ride a coach bus with reclining seats and a restroom. She added the program is geared toward students who need to find last-minute transportation to Northern California.
The bus will pick students up at the bus stop on the corner of Strathmore Drive and Gayley Avenue at 10:30 a.m. on March 19 and drop them off at UC Berkeley. The bus will depart for UCLA on March 26 at 4 p.m. and drop students off at the same Westwood bus stop the Saturday before instruction begins.
Patil said ticket sales would cover all expenses. She added any profit will go toward Sharethebus, but expects most of the revenue will be used to charter the buses.
Sherry Gui, a fourth-year communication studies student, said she thinks the program will help students who do not have cars.
“If I were looking for a ride, I would take this,” Gui said. “It would be fun to go with other students.”
She added she thinks the cost is higher than a regular bus ride, but many students who are concerned about travelling with strangers will still use the program.
Hugh Edwards, a third-year business economics student, said he would not use the program because he prefers a cheaper alternative.
Alejandro Alatorre, a third-year psychobiology student, said he thinks the program is a good idea but only serving one location limits options for students. He added he thinks Patil can improve the program by expanding it to other locations.
Students can sign up for the program online on Sharethebus’ website until March 12. Each bus will transport up to 55 students, and buses will be commissioned depending on student demand, Patil said.
She added about 25 students have already signed up.
The Financial Supports Commission is considering organizing a trip during Memorial Day weekend, depending on the success of the spring break trip, Patil said. She added the commission will consider adding other locations, such as San Diego.
