SunLine Transit Makes Splash in New School Year

New SunLine Transit bus route connects CSUSB and its Palm Desert Campus

PALM DESERT – SunLine Transit Agency has made a series of student-friendly moves as the 2021-22 academic school year kicks into high gear.

For one, CSUSB students, staff and faculty can now travel with ease between CSUSB and its Palm Desert Campus on SunLine Transit’s new 10 Commuter Link, which began service on July 12, 2021.

For two, SunLine Transit Agency has expanded its Haul Pass Program. Already in place for local college students, the program has been expanded to include high school students thanks to recent grant funding.

This means that students in grades 9 through 12 can now enjoy free rides to Coachella Valley high schools within SunLine’s service area. Students can also use SunLine’s services for free to get to Career Technical Education (CTE) classes and internships, especially beneficial because they teach skills that are directly applicable to career opportunities

The new service is free for CSUSB students, staff and faculty with just a swipe of their Coyote OneCard. Riders will enjoy Wifi, USB ports and comfortable seats with extra legroom. Students can focus on their studies or catch up on some much-needed rest while they cruise down the I-10 freeway in style, and take advantage of classes and events at both campuses without the burden and expense of driving a car.

This new 92-mile route begins with two stops in the Coachella Valley at the SunLine Indio facility and the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. At the Beaumont stop, passengers will be able to access buses connecting to Cabazon, University of California, Riverside, Riverside University Health Center, Kaiser Hospital, VA Hospital, Loma Linda Medical Center and numerous destinations served by Riverside Transit Agency, Beaumont Transit and Banning Transit. The 10 Commuter Link bus stop in Beaumont also enables residents of the PASS area, San Jacinto, Hemet and Moreno Valley to travel to the California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Center and other employment centers in Coachella Valley.

The route continues, stopping at the main campus of California State University, San Bernardino and at the San Bernardino Transit Center and Metrolink station. At the San Bernardino Transit Center commuters are connected to OmniTrans and Metrolink services. This enables riders to travel from the Coachella Valley to Riverside, LA, Orange County or beyond without ever having to drive.

“We are excited to partner with SunLine Transit Agency on the new 10 Commuter Link,” said Jake Zhu, dean of the Palm Desert Campus. “CSUSB is pleased to provide this service to facilitate transportation between the two campuses, which I know will help our students immensely.”

The 10 Commuter Link runs eastbound and westbound routes Monday through Friday. The westbound schedule begins at 5:20 a.m. and runs until 5:05 p.m., and the eastbound schedule begins at 8:45 a.m. and runs until 8:00 p.m.

For more information, including route maps and schedules, visit the CSUSB Parking and Transportation or SunLine Transit Agency websites.