OPINION: Why Catlin Gabel should implement a discounted transit program

Line 20-Burnside/Stark on Barnes Rd. Courtesy of Portland Tribune

Every weekday morning, the number 20 bus rumbles down Barnes Road, carrying students on their way to class, before grinding to a screechy halt just outside of the Catlin Gabel School (CGS) entrance. For some, this journey is a lifeline–an affordable, reliable way to access education. But with increasingly unfeasible transportation costs and growing environmental concerns, isn't it time for CGS to meet these students halfway?

CGS has a unique opportunity to lead by example in promoting accessibility, sustainability, and equity by subsidizing public bus fares for its students. Public transit offers an affordable, flexible option that supports students financially while helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in the Portland Metro Area. By reducing fares, CGS can enhance the school’s commitment to sustainability and create a more inclusive community.

Portland Public Schools (PPS) provide a strong model of how subsidized transit can make a difference. PPS collaborates with TriMet to cover the cost of transit fares for high school students through the High School Pass Program, benefiting thousands each year. Programs like these increase public transit ridership, reduce household transportation costs, and help students participate fully in all aspects of school. 

Junior Nora Caropelo, a student at Grant High School, frequently rides the TriMet bus to and from school. Caropelo expressed profound gratitude for the High School Pass Program and emphasized “that having a free ride is a lifesaver–it’s one less thing to worry about during the school week.”

CGS could adopt a similar program on a smaller scale, offering significant benefits to our community.

Subsidizing transit fares would encourage more students to use public transportation. 

When the city of Seattle implemented the Orca Lift program, a city-wide reduced fare program, they saw a rise in transit use by 60% within months of implementation, showcasing the potential for programs like these to transform communities.

If more students opt for buses over cars, the number of private vehicles on campus would likely decrease, easing traffic congestion during peak drop-off and pick-up hours. Fewer cars would mean shorter wait times getting on and off of campus, smoother traffic flow, and more efficient use of campus resources. 

Increased ridership and fewer private vehicles on campus could play a key role in CGS’s sustainability efforts, addressing some of the school’s most pressing environmental challenges. 

Reducing reliance on private vehicles directly cuts greenhouse gas emissions, helping CGS lower its carbon footprint. The use of public transportation over private vehicles produces, on average, 95% less carbon monoxide, benefiting air quality and overall sustainability in urban areas. By encouraging public transit use, CGS can demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship. 

“Oftentimes when it comes to global warming and climate change, we find that helping disadvantaged communities has the most positive impact on a wider global scale,” said CGS junior Ari Wilda, a prominent member of the CGS Environmental Action Team and occasional bus rider. “In this case, subsidizing public transport is providing a great economic support to Catlin students, especially to those who may be at a disadvantage [financially, geographically, etc.]”

Financially, subsidizing fares would ease the burden on students and families who rely on buses. While TriMet’s Youth fare program certainly helps, daily transportation costs for student riders can add up quickly. Supporting these students with discounted transit would make CGS more accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. 

As a frequent public bus commuter, CGS junior Erik Ronsvalle, put it, “Trimet is an important resource for students who are unable to drive or cannot afford a vehicle. reducing these costs is an essential step towards making the school more accessible.”

Another critical benefit is that a reduced fare program would foster student inclusion. Discounted fares would make it easier for prospective students from across the tri-county region to attend CGS, fostering a more diverse school community. By investing in such a program, CGS could open its doors even wider to students from varied backgrounds who might otherwise be discouraged by logistical challenges. 

Some argue that subsidizing public buses is unnecessary because CGS already provides school buses that cover most students’ transportation needs. However, it’s important to note that CGS’ buses cannot always provide accommodations or stops that reach a student’s ideal location at a reasonable time or at all. 

Moreover, the fare for CGS’ school buses comes out to about $3.70 per ride using the annual one-way pass and $9.00 per ride without a pass, an astounding step up from TriMet’s $1.40 per ride Youth Fare. The limited accessibility and high fare costs of the CGS school buses leave public transit as the most practical option for some.

TriMet’s Access Transit: High School Program allows qualifying institutions–not already participating in the High School Pass Program–to apply for reduced student fares, offering to cut the costs by two-thirds.

However, CGS has yet to apply. 

Helen Romero, Transportation Manager at CGS, expressed concerns that CGS may not meet the criteria required of schools in the program. 

“Like most other programs, private schools are in their own world as far as paying for transportation such as our school buses and TriMet passes,” said Romero. “Public schools are able to get state help in paying for this, but we must pay for all our buses, drivers, as well as TriMet passes on our own.”

Excluding CGS and other private schools from programs like TriMet’s Access Transit overlooks the needs of student riders and broader community benefits of increased public transit use. To address this, CGS should not only explore alternative avenues for discounting transit but also collaborate with other private institutions to advocate for a more inclusive Access Transit Program. Expanding eligibility criteria would ensure that all students, regardless of their school’s funding structure, can access affordable and sustainable transportation options.  

Admittedly, this is an ambitious solution but well-worth pursuing. In the meantime, CGS should  focus on finding ways to support individual student riders. This could serve as a “down-payment” on CGS’s commitment to its values of sustainability and equity.