PUEBLO – Pueblo Transit and Pueblo Community College are prioritizing students through a partnership to allow all PCC students to ride free with a student ID. This comes at a time when PCC is prioritizing community engagement and strengthening partnerships to benefit their students’ experience.
"Access to education should never be limited by something as basic as transportation, and we’re deeply grateful to our college leadership and Pueblo Transit for making this possible,” said PCC Basic Needs Coordinator Matthew Aubuchon. “This is about more than convenience; it’s a commitment to removing barriers and empowering students to succeed. Whether it’s getting to class, heading to work, or staying connected to the community, this program ensures our students have one more reason to keep going."
The initiative is funded through the federal Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Basic Needs grant that PCC was awarded last December. A finalized agreement was signed by the Pueblo Transit Board of Directors and PCC officials in late September and the program launched in early October. The three-year partnership includes a commitment of $50,000 annually from PCC to Pueblo Transit for students to receive free rides at any time of operation with the city bus system.
“This new commitment to free rides for PCC students is exciting for the campus and for our community,” said Director of Pueblo Transit Ben Valdez. “We have had partnerships with PCC for a long time, which have included making bus stops more accessible on campus or improving routes to meet their needs. It is impressive to see PCC’s commitment to success for students by removing the financial transportation barrier to make their lives as students easier and more attainable.”
Riding Pueblo Transit is simple for currently enrolled PCC students: By showing their valid PCC student ID, they can ride free of charge at any time. Students can take advantage of the partnership for any of their transportation needs, not just traveling to and from campus. For more information about bus routes and schedules, visit the Pueblo Transit website.
Aubuchon said the college is also working on similar partnerships at its Fremont and Southwest campuses to provide those students with free access to public transportation.
