College of the Desert students can now ride Sunline buses for free

College of the Desert students are now eligible for free, unlimited SunLine bus rides thanks to the organization’s new Haul Pass program. .

The three-year initiative will allow students to ride buses free of charge by simply swiping their school ID. All students need to be actively enrolled to be eligible. The free ride program begins Monday, August 27.

In addition to transportation to and from College of the Desert, the Haul Pass program allows students to use their ID cards to make unlimited local fixed route transit trips any day of the week as well as transfers on the SunBus.

“Helping college students access campus activities, work and leisure destinations through SunLine’s transit network is an exciting addition to our service,” Lauren Skiver, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency, stated in a news release. “SunLine is pleased to partner with our higher learning institutions to improve residents’ access to college and help remove barriers that prevent youth from obtaining a degree.”

The first year of the program is being funded with a $696,048 grant from the state’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program. Officials from the college hope to bring in additional schools that will help turn the program into a self-sustaining one.

You can get more info about Sunline’s Haul pass here.