Below you will find some information on getting around LA without a car (which isn’t as easy as it should be!). For even more insider tips, see the Caltech Public Transit guide at http://transitguide.caltech.edu/quick_guide_to_public_transit/. NOTE THIS IS SLIGHTLY OUT OF DATE--WE'LL TRY TO GET A NEW VERSION UP SOON!
Los Angeles Metro has finally entered the 21st century with passes (TAP Cards) that you can simply load money on and use at will. Note that monthly passes on a TAP card are not good for the Pasadena ARTS buses, the Big Blue buses, or the Foothill Transit buses--you would need to purchase an EZ Transit Pass or Metrolink pass to get on all of them. Monthly Metro passes are available at the Caltech bookstore, but to get one you can simply recharge (or to get a student pass) you must go down to Union Station. Go to http://www.metro.net/around/fares/collegevocational/ for information about getting a student pass.