Strategies for Improving Community College Access in California

Susan Shaheen, Jacquelyn Broader, Adam Cohen and Brooke Wolfe

Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings from Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley

Abstract: In California, transportation plays a key role in community college access because many community college districts have satellite campuses, have limited transportation options, and tend to not have on-campus housing. To better understand the mobility challenges students face accessing community colleges and provide potential policy strategies to overcome these challenges, the researchers interviewed local transportation agencies, community college administrators, and students at five California community colleges between September 2022 and October 2023. Participants were asked about available transportation options for community college students, typical student travel patterns, and the resources needed to support improved community college transportation access. Small group discussions with students focused on student travel patterns, mobility challenges, and opinions on potential strategies to improve access. In addition, we reviewed state legislation on student transportation to understand current and past policy attempts to address community college transportation challenges. Together, the findings inform a set of policy options, such as student transit passes, public transit enhancements aimed at meeting the needs of students, and transportation pilot programs.

Keywords: Social and Behavioral Sciences; Universities and colleges; Accessibility; College students; Travel patterns; Focus groups; Transportation policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-02-01
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