How to utilize public transportation in your commute to Chapman University
Learn how to use the shuttle, train or bus to travel to and from campus. Photo from The Panther Archives
A new school year has officially commenced at Chapman University, and the hustle and bustle of students getting to their courses on time has resumed. As another large freshman class in Chapman’s history learns to navigate the Orange area, a question arises of how to get to and from school.
Whether or not one is vehicle-challenged or just looking to save some money, here are the various public transportation options available for students in the Orange area.
By Shuttle
For those living in Panther Village and Chapman Grand, the university offers a shuttle system to transport students to and from campus and these two locations. Students will be dropped off at Schmid Gate on campus. This mode of transportation is available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. The shuttles are also active on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students can request a ride to the Ralphs shopping center on Main Street and Chapman Avenue, as well as to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, if needed. Students can download the Passio Go! app to see shuttle pick-up and drop-off times at each location, and also see where the shuttles are in their routes.
Cambria Vos, a junior creative producing major, used to take the shuttle in 2021 when she was residing at Chapman Grand. In her experience, immense time management was required to use the shuttle to arrive at campus on time.
“It's a public transportation system where it may be on time, it may be early, it may be too crowded, and you kind of just have to plan ahead,” Vos said. “It takes a lot of planning, and then that means you would have to wake up earlier and get out of the dorm early.”
Depending on the time students are riding the shuttle, the issue of overcrowding may appear.
“It would either be that there were too many people waiting for it, or say Grand was a stop or something, you would get on, and the whole thing would be too packed, or they would just drive right past you because they don't have room,” Vos said.
Cole Illeck, a first-year transfer student studying physics and philosophy, takes the shuttle from Panther Village to campus. He recommends taking the shuttle to other students and mentions a new shuttle arrives every five to 10 minutes.
He also says it can also be a way to connect with peers.
“It allows you the convenience of sitting next to someone that you’ve never met before,” Illeck said. “You could just have a quick conversation, meet some cool people. You don’t get that driving yourself home.”
The shuttle can also offer a shield from the scorching summer weather.
“It's been a safe haven from the heat,” Illeck said.
Riders must have a Chapman ID or be a guest of someone with a Chapman ID. Those who also have a parking permit are allowed to utilize the shuttles. For more information, check out the Shuttle Guide for more information.
By Train
For those who are commuting to campus from locations that are further from the Orange area, students can take the train. Students are offered discounted fares, with prices varying depending on the station you are commuting from.
Victoria Gray, a first-year student studying criminal law at the Fowler School of Law, takes the train four days a week from the Irvine Station to the Orange Station. She does not have a car and finds the train to be a more efficient way of transportation.
Gray notes her train rides are about 20 minutes. Once she gets off the train, she walks to campus, which is 10 minutes away.
“I think if you have the opportunity to take the train, you should. I think it’s easier, personally,” Gray said. “The train is really clean…they maintain it really well, and the walk is so easy. So if people are worried about taking the train and then not being able to get to campus, it’s so quick, they don’t even need to worry about it.”
Gray mentions that while she enjoys taking the train because it gives her time to relax, sometimes there can be potential difficulties that come up.
“My only downside would be that you kind of have to check that your train's running on time because I've gotten there, and then there will be a mechanical delay,” Gray said.
Luckily, they have all the train updates and train schedules on the Metrolink website and app.
By City Bus
If neither the train or shuttle works for a commute, the city bus is another option for students. The bus stops closest to campus include the Glassell Street and Walnut Avenue, Glassell Street and Palm Avenue and Glassell Street and Maple Avenue locations.
The Route 59 North and South bus routes go through all the above bus stop locations. Route 59 is to and from Anaheim and Irvine.
The following routes go through both the Glassell Street & Palm Avenue and Glassell Street & Maple Avenue stops:
The Route 54 East and West bus routes take passengers to and from Garden Grove and Orange via Chapman Avenue. Route 56 East and West also transports passengers to and from Garden Grove and Orange via Garden Grove Boulevard. Route 453 North and South travels to and from the Orange Transportation Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital.
City buses typically run from around 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Orange County Transportation Authority offers a discounted bus pass for Chapman students. Otherwise, the cost of a single bus fare is $2.
You can download the OC Bus App to have all bus passes in one place, have them ready to scan when boarding and help you keep track of navigation.
