(Oakland) – Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland), member of the Budget Sub-committee on Education Finance, and Chairman of the Assembly Labor & Employment Committee, today unveiled AB1980, the Peralta College Transportation Accessibility Act. The bill would allow the Peralta Community College District to assess a fee on students in order to provide subsidized buss passes for those taking classes. A majority of students at each of the campuses would have to vote approve the fee in order for it to go into effect.

"Many students rely on public transportation to get from home to work to class and back, while gas prices are making public transit an increasing necessity for many more. However, bus passes can cost anywhere from $70 to $116 per month on AC Transit. By assessing a low fee on all students, the Peralta Colleges can provide students with bus passes that offer unlimited rides, saving individuals up to nearly $1,300 per year in transportation costs. For many students, particularly those who are working and supporting families, a savings of this size has an incredible impact on their budget," Mr. Swanson stated.

Current law does not allow most community college districts to propose the assessment of such a fee on the entirety of its student body; low income students are exempt. However, existing law (section 76361.1 of the education code) authorizes the governing boards of the Los Rios and Rio Hondo community college districts, upon majority approval of the student body, to require a transportation service fee be paid by all students. This authorization gives these governing boards the ability to adopt rules and regulations to either exempt low-income students from this fee, or to require low-income students to pay all or part of the fee. AB1980 would make the Peralta Community College District subject to the same provisions as Los Rios and Rio Hondo community college districts, which were put into statute via AB1968 (Leslie, '06)

Additionally, amendments introduced by Mr. Swanson would allow Peralta, Los Rios, and Rio Honda community college districts to set a minimum course load to be taken in order to be eligible for the passes. In all cases, a majority of students at each campus who would be eligible for the pass must vote to approve the fee at the level proposed by the governing board in order for the program to take effect at that campus.

Currently, monthly passes on AC Transit, the local bus transportation authority, cost $70 per month for East Bay only travel, and $116 to include trans-bay travel to and from San Francisco. Students who attend school in the fall, spring, and summer semesters thus pay upwards of $1392 per year for passes.

District representatives state that the Governing Board would propose a $50 per semester fee for non-low income students and $35 for low-income students. They also state that they plan to propose that the spring semester fee include a pass that lasts through the summer, resulting in a total of $100 or $70 per year for the pass, a savings of up to $1292 per year for their students.

Reflecting on the increasing shortage of skilled workers in many sectors of the State's economy, Mr. Swanson stated, "Our community colleges are the main economic engine of our economy. They produce nurses, electricians, aircraft mechanics, dental technicians, and a host of other skilled workers. Most importantly, they produce taxpayers. Surveys of those who got a credential or certificate at a community college show their incomes rising from $29,000 per year before college to $50,000 just three years after completing their courses. Best of all, our Community Colleges are open to everyone, regardless of educational background. Making transportation affordable for those who are looking to improve themselves will give hard-working students welcome financial relief, and will encourage many more to attend."

AB1980 is scheduled to be heard in the Higher Education Committee on April 22nd.