MST: A Hartnell Initiative
The Truth About Hartnell
Students and the MST
Regional Fee Lines
MST Line 23
MST Line 28
Regional/Commuter Fee Lines
MST Line 29
*MST Line 82
Line 83 & Fees
Route
Type
Regular
Fare
Discount
Fare
Local
$1.50
$.75
Primary
$2.50
$1.25*
Regional
$3.50
$1.75
Commuter
$12.00
$6.00
Total Cost FT Hartnell Student
Line 23 Salinas-King City
$17.50 Weekly; $315 Per semester
Line 28 Watsonville-Salinas via Castroville
$17.50 Weekly; $315 Per semester
Line 29 Watsonville–Salinas via Prunedale
$17.50 Weekly; $315 Per semester
Line 82 Fort Hunter Liggett-Salinas Express
$60 Weekly; $1,080 Per semester
Line 83 Fort Hunter Liggett–Paso Robles Express
$17.50 Weekly; $315 Per Semester
Pro et contra
Pros
Cons
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• The money comes from --?
Determining this may present a
challenge.
Increased access
Increased student morale
Increased success rate
Increased completion rate
Less stress for students
Increased student population
Decreased air pollution
Appropriate distribution of
funds
• A simple problem to solve
To Whom It May Concern:
I have been a proud rider of public transit for about half my life now. First, it was out of necessity as my parents were no
longer able to pay for and maintain our only automobile during my childhood. My father rode the bus to his workplace in
Monterey from Salinas and we rode the bus to go grocery shopping. Learning to read a bus schedule and how to plan a bus
trip with transfer times has become a skill I have now mastered and it has helped me to navigate any public transit system I
have encountered. I greatly enjoy riding the bus to and from school now as I can read, catch up on a homework assignment,
or even relax. The MST line 47 runs just down the street from me, with a stop just a 3 minute walk away. I currently take all
my classes at the Alisal campus, so I have relied on this bus to get me to and from school everyday. If this bus ran on
weekends, I would still ride it to the Alisal campus as study rooms on that campus are open much later than the library is on
the main campus. Unfortunately, if I catch the 47 at the stop nearest me, my Hartnell ID card is considered invalid and I
need to pay the full fare of $2.50. That would amount to over $200 spent each semester just to get to class. Often, I find
myself walking about twenty minutes to main campus just so I can catch the bus there and ride it for free. That is about
thirty hours spent each semester just walking so I can save about $200. I am currently enrolled in 16 units and rely on a
scholarship to financially get me through each semester and every minute saved goes towards my studies. For many, $200 is
not a lot per semester, but as a dedicated student it is an incredible amount that could go towards food, supplies for school
projects, or helping my parents pay bills.
Having a more inclusive bus pass would be huge gift to me and many of my classmates whom I know rely on public transit
to also get to class. It would mean a more relaxed morning, more time to study, and extra funds to go towards more pressing
emergencies.
Sincerely,
Raquel Figueroa