Connecting you with a variety of transportation options, Oxy helps break the stereotype that you need to own a car to get around L.A.
There are lots of ways to get where you’re going without making a big impact on air quality and climate. Borrow a bike from Bike Share to check out the surrounding neighborhoods or ride along the L.A. River. Catch a ride on the Bengal Bus or make use of the extensive Metro buses and rail lines to reach Pasadena, Little Tokyo and Santa Monica. Book a Zipcar to run local errands or take weekend trips.
If you do bring a car to Oxy, parking on campus is free with a permit, and you can charge your electric vehicle at our campus stations.
Bike Share
Oxy Bike Share is a student-run free bike rental service. Aside from offering rentals and repairs, Bike Share hopes to create a community focused on sustainability and adventure through a love of bicycles. For more information, contact bikes@oxy.edu
Bengal Bus
Bengal Bus is a student-run program that provides free and low-cost transportation throughout Oxy's surrounding community. Book your ride to L.A.-area airports and other popular locations including Target, the Highland Park Metro stop, museums, beaches and more! Currently running Monday through Saturday from 6pm to 10pm. Students can schedule a ride with Bengal Bus during regular hours by texting (213) 349-5464.
Metro & TAP card
TAP cards are useful to have on hand for riding L.A. public transit. Riders cannot board the Metro Rail without one, and they make it easier to take Metro buses since you won’t have to fumble for exact change. The card also works for taking L.A.’s DASH and other non-Metro buses. Conveniently, TAP cards can be purchased and reloaded at the Student Activities Center in the Johnson Student Center.
Through the hard work of ASOC Senate, students can ride Metro for free! There is no limit to the number of rides a student can take. First, register to get a U-pass, then stop by the Student Activities Center.
One-way Metro trips cost $1.75, and this covers all transfers to other Metro Rail lines/buses for two hours (note: there is an additional cost for riding the Metro Silver Line and Metro Express Buses). Read this simple how-to guide for using the TAP card to ride the Metro.
Several handy apps for planning public transit trips are Google Maps, Moovit and Transit.
Zipcar
Not all destinations in L.A. are easily accessible by biking or public transit, so having a car is sometimes practical. But the costs of owning a car can be a hardship. Zipcar is a car sharing program that launched at Oxy in 2010, arising from a sustainability class on alternative modes of transportation. Head over to Zipcar's website to sign up for an account to take out the two Zipcars parked on the perimeter of the Booth Hall parking lot in front of Newcomb Hall.
Check out this study on the positive effects of using Zipcar (40% of college members are less likely to buy a car because of their membership).
Additional Sustainability Efforts
Campus Fleet
A total of 34 electric vehicles (EVs) and six hybrid vehicles make up Oxy’s fleet. Electric golf carts are commonly seen traveling around campus as Facilities staff do repairs, Campus Dining caters events, and Postal Operations delivers mail. Campus Safety make their patrols in hybrid sedan vehicles. A Toyota Prius is available for rental.
As old vehicles are replaced in the campus fleet, the fuel efficiency and lower emissions of electric and hybrid vehicles make them an attractive choice. In 2018, four EVs replaced diesel vehicles for Grounds staff and Campus Safety decided to go all-electric when they purchased their golf cart.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
Cleaner air, making a positive impact on climate change and lower maintenance needs are several benefits of driving EVs. Occidental College is committed to sustainability and reducing the campus’ carbon footprint, 10% of which (in FY23) was tied to employee commuting. Occidental proudly provides charging stations to support electric vehicle ownership in our community and for use in employee commuting. In June 2026, the Occidental Policy Committee approved updated fees and policies to better manage the campus EVCS. Please see the full policy.
EVCS locations and use restrictions are as follows:
- Collins Parking Lot/Admissions - Open to all users at all times on a first-come, first-serve basis;
- Employee Parking Lot - reserved for College Employees on a first-come, first-serve basis during business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m.), Monday through Friday; and
- Solar Array Parking Lot - reserved for College community members (Employees and students) on a first-come, first-serve basis during business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m.), Monday through Friday
Charging Details for the General Public
We invite our community members to charge on Oxy’s campus at market rate during non-working hours (working hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday). Please review and adhere to Oxy’s parking enforcement policy. An overnight permit is not required to use EVCS. You must have a Chargepoint account to use the charging stations. Please report any issues with the stations directly to Chargepoint.
Student Charging
Oxy students are invited to charge during designated hours at the market rate. Please display your permit and follow all parking/charging restrictions and policies.
Charging Discount for Oxy Employees
Oxy offers discounted charging for staff and faculty. Please display your permit and follow all parking/charging restrictions and policies. See connection instructions below.
Other Reminders
Proper Parking: Please make sure your valid Oxy Parking Permit is displayed when using EV stations and report any concerns to Campus Safety. Please make sure you park in the parking spots designated for your charging port. In particular, the parking spots for EV ports 4 and 5 in the Employee Lot are not directly in front of the charging station, but are to the right of the charging station, as shown in the photo below. While it is frustrating to observe improper parking, please do not unplug other vehicles, and report concerns to campus safety.
Reporting Maintenance Issues: Please report any maintenance concerns directly to ChargePoint through the Chargepoint app (Select the relevant station and choose “Report a Problem” under “Station Details”). Please note, some stations may experience up to a 2 minute delay for charting to initiate. Please be patient. For any concerns about visible physical damage, please submit a maintenance request form.
Move Vehicle Promptly: You may only park in the charging spots WHILE ACTIVELY CHARGING. As of July 1, 2026, a fee will be imposed for vehicles that do not move their vehicle within 30 minutes of ending the charging session, between 8AM and 5PM. All users will receive a notification when your vehicle has finished charging. Please be courteous to other drivers and move your vehicle as soon as possible.
First Come First Serve Basis: All EVCS are available on a first come first serve basis; no waitlists are enabled. Please be courteous to your fellow drivers and move vehicles promptly.