Shontrice Williamson attended Contra Costa College in San Pablo before decided to come to Laney College in Oakland. Because there was limited access in her Richmond neighborhood to outlets she could purchase an AC Transit bus pass—such as grocery stores or chain stores—she would have to pay cash to board the bus to-and-from school every day.
“I usually had to pay cash to get to school. It costs more,” the 25-year-old African American Studies major Richmond resident said. She paid around $30 a week just go get to school in neighboring San Pablo. “And you know transfers expire, and I’d need to get other places besides school.”Shontrice was already considering coming to the Peralta Colleges for classes when she found out about the Peralta EasyPass program. The program gives students a $50 semester long bus pass for only $50. Currently, AC Transit’s 31-day ride passes are $70 per month.
“I thought it was a typo,” said Shontrice, referring to the $50 bus pass. “That’s a come up.”
“I don’t have an issue with transportation anymore...I can get to school for the rest of the semester and not have to worry about how I’m going to get there.”
In the beginning of the fall 2008 semester, Shontrice would take BART and bus to school each day as she waited for her financial aid check from Peralta. And since BART costs $2.45 per trip from Downtown Oakland to Downtown Richmond, Shontrice now feels “less stress” since she can now take the bus all the way to school—and not have to worry about the cash fare.
“I don’t have an issue with transportation anymore,” said Shontrice. “I can get to school for the rest of the semester and not have to worry about how I’m going to get there.” Shontrice now has “less limitations” and takes the bus when every she wants to, when she wants to.
“You are unlimited and you can go almost anywhere you want to go, when you want to,” said Shontrice.
She is grateful for the EasyPass, because without it, Shontrice said doesn’t think she’d be able to continue attending school full-time.
“I’d probably change schools or have to restructure my whole life,” said Shontrice, who hopes she can continue going to school full-time. “It’s the difference between going to school twice a week at night and being able to go to classes five times a week.”
“And if I take less units, it’s going to take longer for me to finish my classes,” she added.
Shontrice said she will “Vote YES on Proposition A” April 28-29.
