To drive, or not to drive

Whether you drive, take the bus, ride the shuttle, bicycle or walk to school, all modes of

transportation have issues.

     There are 3,725 parking spaces on both campuses. Last fall, there were 9,242 parking permits sold, according to Marsha Calbreath,  Director of Security and Safety. These spaces accommodate a little over 20,000 students, 740 full time employees, and 400 adjunct instructors.

     But students need not conclude that they'll have to find off-campus parking for the rest of the year. By the end of September, the worst of the "parking crunch" will be more or less over and more spaces will be available on campus, says Linda Hoile, MJC Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

     The first weeks of school, however, have been trying.

     "To get a parking space you need to arrive on campus by 8 a.m.," said MJC student Amanda Morales. Morales' first class is at 11 a.m. -- the time where many students find themselves in a traffic jam trying to find parking.                                                                                                                                 

     Student Savoeun Phal said she used to park three blocks away.

     Now, she said, "I find parking on College Avenue."

     Although half of the students at MJC take their own vehicle, based on the number of permits sold, many have found a few alternatives to getting around.

     The Prime Shine Pirate Express is a free shuttle between the East and West Campuses running from 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday - Thursday every 15 or 30 minutes. (See a schedule at mjc.edu for details.)                                                                                                                                             Since the parking lots on West Campus are seldom full, time can be saved by parking on the West Campus and taking the shuttle to the East Campus.                                                                                                      

     "The Prime Shine Pirate Express will continue to have ONLY ONE West Campus stop - on Blue Gum Avenue - for the next couple of years," said Hoile.

     Modesto Area Express (MAX) sells a student monthly pass for $31. The pass is good for a bus ride anywhere, anytime for a month. The MAX buses travel throughout the vicinity of Modesto. For more information on bus schedules and fares, visit modestoareaexpress.com.  

     This method is good for those without cars and also for those looking to save money on gas. 

     "I can get anywhere in Modesto on the (MAX) bus and the service is reliable," said student

Stephanie Harris. Harris said she would still ride the bus even though she owns an automobile.

     MAX bus also offers an alternative ride for special need students. Dial-A-Ride offers fares at $2.50, and a 10-ride ticket book for $22.

     Stanislaus Regional Transit (START) offers students a discount bus card. The low fee of $21.25 gets student 20 rides. START is offered throughout the Central Valley and includes cities such as: Modesto, Turlock, Patterson, Gustine, Newman, Waterford and many more. For more information about START, visit str.org.                                                                        

     "I take the (START) bus from Turlock without transferring," said Robert Lopez, an MJC student.