Many Fresno City College students are being forced to find alternatives to driving to school due to the lack of parking spaces on campus.

There are many students who are choosing public transportation to get to school. Others are riding their bikes or walking, while others are carpooling.

The Fresno Area Express (FAX) busses have three routes that drop off directly in front of Fresno City College, and many students are taking advantage of them. Route 28 travels from east Shaw, by Fresno State, to Peach and Kings Canyon, stopping at Van Ness and McKinley (north bound) or Wishon and McKinley (south bound). Route 20 begins at the Shaw and Brawley area and goes to the downtown transit station, at Fresno Street and Van Ness Avenue. Route 45, also known as the Ashlan Crosstown, begins and Milburn and Herndon, and winds up at Shields and Fowler.

It only costs one dollar to ride the bus, a negligible cost when compared to the $17 per semester charged for parking permits. “It doesn’t take me long to find parking because I show up very early for my 8 o’clock class, between 7 and 7:30 a.m.” says Bridget Manders, a student at FCC, “But if you don’t show up early enough, parking can become a nightmare.”

Bus passes can be purchased at various places around town including the Downtown Transit Center, the Manchester Transit Center, and Fresno City College. Standard “Convenience Passes” cost $35 per month and is good for unlimited rides. Special handicap passes are also available and cost either $10 or $25, depending on what type of pass is needed.

Bicycles have become very popular on campus and are a good way to get around. Ella Naiman bikes to school from her home in north Fresno. “It takes me about 10-15 minutes [to get to school] every morning.” Ella adds, “It’s the way to go!” There are many bike racks available on campus, but it is a good idea to bring a bike lock to secure the bike. FAX busses are compatible with bicycles and provide two racks for storage during transit.

If driving to school is the only option available, students may want to consider carpooling and splitting the cost of parking permits, gas, and other expenses. Student Meaghan McCready carpools every other day with her friend, and believes they are both saving money by doing so.

“Between 10,000-11,000 parking permits are sold each semester” estimates Leslie Maybre, a staff member in the business office. Maybre has also noted that parking lots are full by 7:30 a.m.