Santa Fe College students could have access to Gainesville's Regional Transit System for free in the fall.
Although UF students have unlimited access to RTS buses with their Gator 1 Cards, Santa Fe students have to pay for bus rides.
Committees of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate endorsed a bill Wednesday that would allow the boards of trustees of Florida community colleges to implement a transportation fee providing unlimited bus usage. The fee would be no more than $6 per credit hour and would not be covered by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
The bill is being reviewed by funding committees in both the Florida House and Senate.
SFC President Jackson Sasser said Santa Fe’s Student Government has been clamoring for this fee during the eight years he has been working there.
“It’s necessary because the students have demanded it,” he said.
The bill cannot be passed until it is signed by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Sasser traveled to the Florida Capitol Wednesday along with eight Santa Fe students who testified in front of the legislature on behalf of the bill.
“We will not drag our feet in this effort,” Sasser said.
Santa Fe Communications Specialist Julie Garrett said the college would like to see better transportation opportunities for all students, especially those dealing with tight finances.
“We have some low-income students, so it would be nice if they could use the bus more,” she said.
