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Occidental College - Transportation - Transportation - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Transportation

Quick Stats

Best Ways to Get Around Town The best way to get around LA is certainly to have a car, but if not, public transportation is quite accessible. Cabs are an option, but most places are so far away, it can easily cost $50 - $60 simply to get around to dinner and clubs in one night.
Best Ways to Get to the Airport
  • A cab ride to the airport costs $50 to go to LAX, and $25 if you’re going to Burbank airport.
  • Airport Shuttle 930 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017 (800) 201-1777
  • Super Shuttle Airport Shuttles 531 Van Ness Ave. Torrance, CA (323) 775-6600

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

As has been said before, it is definitely a lot simpler to have a car in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the public transportation system in LA is not the best, but many students have been able to use it very well and get around anywhere they need to. Cabs are options, but only when you can’t get a ride from anyone else. Trains are great for a cheap and simple way to go to San Diego or Santa Barbara, too. For those who look hard enough, transportation to just about anywhere in LA is possible, although it might take a long time.

Those students that do not have a car should not worry, though, as there truly are many options available to get around. You should take the LA Metro buses as much as possible and get to know the system. While it can take a while to get around, those that know how to use the bus system in conjunction with the rail lines and other forms of transportation can often have an easier time getting around, especially when they don’t have to find parking at a busy area. Most students that felt a car was essential had done very little on the bus, and many students that did have a car still used the bus quite often for trips into areas such as Chinatown, Pasadena, or Glendale. While the mass transit options and cab services are not as glamorous as certain other places in the world, Occidental students still certainly have many ways to get around if they are open to trying new things. Use the bus and rail lines when possible.

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Occidental Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Transportation at Occidental College

meleana

Engineering Physics '15

1.5
D+

It's Hard to Leave Campus.

Transportation on campus isn't a problem at Occidental College. It's transporting off campus that needs improvement. Firstly, the bus system in Los Angeles isn't good to begin with. There aren't enough buses, so you have to wait a long time for another bus to come around. It isn't quick to get from Occidental College (near Pasadena) to Santa Monica by public transport. It might take 2 hours when driving there might take at most 20 minutes. Secondly, campus security may only drive 1 mile from the campus, which is one street away from the main bus stop. This is troublesome, because the neighborhood around our school is considered dangerous. Walking around when it's dark, especially alone, is considered a silly endeavor by the students. Thirdly, the Bengal Bus, our only shuttle, only runs from 6pm-10pm. There are only two shuttles that run, and each shuttle sits at most 6 people. The good thing is that the shuttle can go just about anywhere. The bad thing is that there isn't a set schedule for the bus, so you might have passengers that want to go to Pasadena and passengers that want to go on the opposite side of the campus to Glendale in one car, which is very inefficient. People with cars are considered very lucky to those without them.

Dec 17, 2011

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Transportation at Occidental College

bjr

Environmental Sciences '14

3.8
B+

Walking, Bus, or Car

Everything on campus is within walking distance. A car is not required but its a nice luxury to have. There is public transportation via Los Angeles buses. Its not the best but it gets you where you need to go.

Dec 21, 2010

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Transportation at Occidental College

blkman411

Engineering '13

3.8
B+

Improving

Living in LA, you realize that owning a car is MUY IMPORTANTE!

Oxy can get very boring during the weekends, due to the campus and new administration cracking down hard on parties. Having a car and exploring LA will help to keep you sane.

Public transportation in LA isn't as bad as people say, though its definitely not like the east coast. It can be fun to use, but don't rely on it if you need to get somewhere on time.

Oxy has a new bike share program, and is going to be investing in zipcars, so public transportation will actually be much easier.

May 19, 2010

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User rating for Occidental College - Transportation is 3.5 out of 5 based on 13 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the cost of the following transit options

Rate the convenience of the following transit options

Rate the convenience of long-distance transportation to travel between home and school

How convenient is the campus-provided transportation?

How necessary is it to have a car on campus?

How easy is it to get around town?

Campus ShuttleWhat's This?

Campus Safety

(323) 259-2599

The Bengal Bus Shuttle

This shuttle is availible to students and guests. It is a good way to get to the closest restaurants, stores, grocery outlets, which are also within walking distance.

Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings every half-hour.

Public TransitWhat's This?

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)

LA Metro Rail

Nearest AirportWhat's This?

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport is about 15 minutes from Oxy, depending on traffic.

1 World Way, Los Angeles

(310) 646-5252

Burbank International Airport (BUR)

Approximately 15–45 minutes from Oxy, depending on traffic.

2627 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank

(818) 843-8311

Nearest Passenger TrainWhat's This?

Amtrak Glendale

Direct Distance: 2.57 miles

400 W. Cerritos Ave., Glendale

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