Why are Chapman students skipping public transit?

Illustration by Kamaal Samuel, Illustrator

If Chapman students have access to buses, trains and shuttles, why are there so many cars in the parking garage?

For many, public transportation simply isn't part of their daily life, citing limited options and the inconvenience of transit near campus.

“This area is very car-centric, so many students prefer to drive,” said Patrick Stokes, a sophomore double-majoring in physics and French. “Public transport tends to be ignored and unoptimized.” 

In Orange County, where most errands, internships and social outings require travel beyond walking distance, students say cars feel like the default option.

“I almost never hear about people using public transit to go somewhere besides the Chapman dorm shuttles,” said Jacqueline Henriksen, a sophomore majoring in data science. “If there's any, it's usually commuters who already know about those options and rely on them for things outside of just going to and from campus.”

Convenience – or lack thereof – plays a major role in students’ decisions. Several said driving is simpler and more reliable, especially while juggling classes, jobs and social plans.

“Doing things is a lot easier with a car, simply because of that aspect of being able to go from one place to another without interconnections and worrying about whether or not I can actually make the walk to or from the public transit station,” Henriksen said.

Free parking on campus also influences student decisions. When parking costs nothing, it encourages students to bring their cars to college, and there is little incentive to opt for coordinating train schedules or bus transfers.

“If I didn’t have a car, or if they made it so that I had to pay for parking on campus…” said Blaise Bowers, a freshman majoring in business administration and economics. “Right now, I don’t have any real incentive to use it since it’s much more convenient to drive.”

Scheduling remains another barrier. Several students said Metrolink routes do not run late enough to make trips to Los Angeles realistic.

“I wish that the Metrolink routes to Orange ran later so I could actually do things in LA and have a cheaper ride back,” freshman screenwriting major Lex Stipanov said.

Others said reliability and timing would make the biggest difference.

“If I could get the timing down to a tee, I would be able to take more advantage of it,” said Colin Silber, a freshman majoring in writing for film and television.

For commuter students, however, the equation looks different.

“I don’t have much of a choice whether or not I use the Metrolink while at Chapman,” said Seleh Sanchez, a junior majoring in creative writing. “It’s my only way to campus unless I want to carpool with my mother and arrive absurdly early.” 

Changes in cost add another layer for those who rely on public transit. The Metrolink Student Adventure Pass, which once allowed students to ride at no cost, now only provides a 50% discount, making a difference for those who relied on it.

“I would probably feel better about using it if they brought the Student Adventure Pass back, since it would save me money; money I can use to help out with household needs, pay my tuition off or save for when my loans start racking up interest,” Sanchez said.

Many students made it clear that for them, public transit is a backup option. In a region designed around cars, it will be convenience, infrastructure and cost that continue to shape how students move through their day.