Sierra College Students Ride Free on Local Transit
After Successful 3-Year Pilot, Students Vote to Provide Ongoing Funding
Sierra College and regional transit partners in Placer and Nevada counties are working to address a key barrier to educational access: reliable and affordable transportation. Simply by presenting their student ID with current student activity sticker, any Sierra College student can ride free on buses operated by Placer County Transit, Roseville Transit, Auburn Transit, Nevada County Connects and Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit.
“Sierra College is committed to serving our students in ways that go beyond instruction,” said Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan. “Often, student success hinges on meeting some of their most basic needs, whether that is food, housing, health or reliable transportation. If a student does not have access to reliable transportation, the free ride program helps remove a barrier that might prevent them from continuing their educational journey toward a high-value career.”
First launched as a pilot in 2022, the program has provided more than 111,000 free rides to Sierra College students over the past three years. During the pilot period, transit providers were reimbursed by Sierra College at a 50% discounted rate. The highest utilization provider was Placer County Transit, which provided more than 75,000 rides. In 2024-25, Sierra students made up 19% of total ridership for Placer County Transit.
According to Ken Broadway, City of Rocklin Councilmember and member of the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA), “This program has been an excellent demonstration of the important partnerships maintained between the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency, Sierra College, and the region’s transit operators, offering a beneficial transportation option for our region’s college students. I am excited that this effort has transitioned into an on-going free ride program that will continue to benefit the region moving forward.”
“The over 100,000 free transit rides provided to-date is a testament to the successful investment this program has made to address the mobility needs of our region’s Sierra College students,” said Mike Costa, Principal Transportation Planner for PCTPA. “This would not have been possible without the dedicated financial commitments and extensive coordination efforts made by Sierra College, the region’s transit operators, and the Western Placer Consolidated Transportation Services Agency.”
Due to the success of the pilot program, the Sierra College students voted earlier this year to provide an ongoing source of funding through a student assessment that will provide a 100% reimbursement of the average fare to transit providers.
“It’s a step in the right direction to providing equitable transportation options for all Sierra College students,” said Ben Rosario, President of Associated Students of Sierra College (ASSC) and Student Trustee on the Sierra College Board of Trustees.
“I am happy the program has continued, and I am grateful for the effort of the school in incorporating non-credited students as well,” said Kevin Hill, ASSC Executive Vice President.
In addition to the free transit program, Sierra College has reached agreement with Uber to provide discounted rides during evening hours. Under the agreement, Sierra College students receive up to five $5 credits per day.
More information about free and discounted transportation options for Sierra College students can be found on the Transportation page.
About Sierra College
Sierra College is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.