Public transportaiton
Public transportation in the Bay Area (and to the campus) is efficient, in terms of both time and money. Buses, trains, cable cars, streetcars, a subway, and even ferry boats move people around the greater Bay Area. Wheelchair access is available along most routes, and some routes and vehicles accommodate bicycles, too. Registered Cal students can ride local buses all semester long with the campus-issued AC Transit Class Pass (see below for more information). Contact Parking & Transportation for answers to your transportation questions (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kittredge Street; prktrans@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
For extensive information on regional transportation throughout the Bay Area, go to 511.org.
AC Transit Class Pass
Your Class Pass provides unlimited rides on both AC Transit (the East Bay’s bus system) and the campus’ BearTransit shuttles. You can even ride free to San Francisco using AC Transit’s transbay service! All registered students can pick up a Class Pass at the start of each semester at the Cal 1 Card office, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. Please be sure to bring your Cal 1 Card with you (Lower Sproul Plaza; pt.berkeley.edu/transportation_alternatives/classpass; calpass@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
Alternative transportation
The Parking & Transportation Office in downtown Berkeley provides free information and can help recommend campus commute alternatives such as BART, bicycle, or bus. The office also sells tickets for BART, AC Transit, Vallejo Transit, and the UC Davis Shuttle systems (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kittredge Street; prktrans@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
The New Directions Program helps students, faculty, and staff commute to campus without always needing a car. New Directions provides information regarding effective and low-cost transportation alternatives. The program offers discounts, subsidies, and incentives for use of public transit and ridesharing, and will meet a wide variety of travel needs. To learn what New Directions Program discounts are available to you, contact the Parking & Transportation Office (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kitteredge Street; prktrans@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
BearTransit campus shuttle service
The AC Transit Class Pass (see previous column) is also valid on all campus shuttles, including those described below (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kittredge Street; prktrans@berkeleley.edu; 510/643-7701).
Daytime shuttles
BearTransit Campus Shuttles operate Monday through Friday from approximately 7:30am-7:30pm, depending on route. BearTransit serves popular and central campus locations including Hearst Mining Circle, Moffitt Library, most residence halls, the hill area, and BART. Lines run around the perimeter of campus, through central campus, up the hill to the Lawrence Hall of Science, and out to the Richmond Field Station. Most routes are free for AC Transit Class Pass holders; members of the public pay a nominal fare (please visit pt.berkeley.edu for complete schedule information; BearTransit System Guides are on buses and at 1 Sproul Hall).
Night Safety Shuttles
See Night safety on pages 19-20.
Intercampus Shuttle Service
Call ahead to find out about tickets, or visit the Public Transportation website for information (pt.berkeley.edu).
Mills College Shuttle 510/430-5555
UC Davis Shuttle 530/752-8287
East Bay buses
The AC Transit bus system serves Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (Berkeley is in Alameda County). You can use your Class Pass to ride any AC Transit bus, including transbay lines to San Francisco (actransit.org; 510/817-1717, or TDD 800/448-9790).
Popular routes like the 51 Line run at frequent intervals (10 minutes during peak travel times); the 1 Line (formerly the 40) travels along Telegraph Avenue. The following lines stop at Downtown Berkeley BART (Center and Shattuck): F, 1, 7, 9, 15, 18, 19, 43, 51, 52L, 65, 67, 79. These lines service Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and other areas.
AC Transit schedules are available online and at the Parking & Transportation Office (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kittredge Street; prktrans@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
BART
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the Bay Area’s commuter train system and runs from 4am to midnight weekdays, 6am to midnight Saturdays, and 8am to midnight Sundays. Its lines connect Richmond, Pittsburg/Bay Point, Fremont, Dublin/Pleasanton, and Millbrae/SF Airport.
Discount BART tickets for children, senior citizens, disabled individuals, and Cal students are available at the Parking & Transportation Office (pt.berkeley.edu; 2150 Kittredge Street; prktrans@berkeley.edu; 510/643-7701).
If you’re coming to campus via BART, there are two stops you can use. The first is the Berkeley Station (also known as the “Downtown Berkeley” station) along the Richmond line; it drops you off one block from the west side of campus. From nearby Shattuck and Center Streets, you can catch a BearTransit shuttle (free with your Class Pass), which will let you off along the perimeter of campus and at Hearst Mining Circle (see page 22, BearTransit campus shuttle service). For those who enjoy walking, the west entrance to the Berkeley campus is only one block away.
If you’re coming from the Pittsburg/Bay Point line, you might want to get off at the Rockridge Station and take a #7 or #51 AC Transit bus to Bancroft Way. Taking the bus is usually faster than transferring to the BART lines that will get you to the Berkeley BART Station, and the bus stops are more convenient to the campus’ south side (bart.gov; 510/465-2278; TTD 510/839-2278).
San Francisco transportation
MUNI is the public transportation network that serves San Francisco and includes bus, cable car, streetcar, and metro transit systems. Call or go online for fare and route information (sfmta.com; 415/673-MUNI).
To and from airports
The easiest way to get to or from the Oakland and San Francisco airports is to take a shuttle, which is like a taxi, but much less expensive. Fares usually run from $23-42 (ask if there’s a student discount); be sure to call the company well ahead of time to make a reservation and to confirm departure times.
BayPorter Express shuttles pick you up at your doorstep and run to both airports (bayporter.com; 877/467-1800).
City Express Shuttle serves Oakland and San Francisco and offers student discounts (888/874-8885).
Luxor services the Oakland airport (510/562-7222).
Super Shuttle serves the Oakland, San Francisco, and San José airports (www.supershuttle.com, 800/258-3826).
BART to airports
BART—and transfer to a local bus—is the least expensive option to and from airports. It’s very easy if you don’t have a lot of luggage.
Oakland Airport by BART: catch the Richmond-Fremont line in the Fremont direction and get off at the Coliseum stop. Then take an AirBART shuttle, which goes directly to the Oakland Airport; it leaves every 10 minutes and costs $3. Buy your ticket in the station before boarding the bus or bring exact cash (runs M-Sa, 5am-12am; Su, 8am-12am; bart.gov, 510/465-BART).
You can also use your Class Pass (see page 22) and take AC Transit bus #50 from the Coliseum BART to the airport (runs daily, every 20-30 minutes, 6am-midnight and hourly, midnight-6am).
SFO by BART: catch the Richmond-Fremont line in the Fremont direction then transfer at MacArthur. Transfer to a San Francisco International Airport train and get off at the last stop.
For quick information, timetables, and fares visit bart.gov.
Scooters and motorcycles
Motorcycles and scooters can only be parked in designated motorcycle parking spaces. There is an annual permit fee and a semester parking fee for on-campus motorcycle parking; the City of Berkeley offers free motorcycle parking in specifically-marked parking areas. Motorcycles parked at expired metered spaces will be ticketed.
Bicycling
Bicycling is a popular and convenient form of transportation at UC Berkeley and in the surrounding communities. In fact, Berkeley has installed bicycle parking and routing throughout the campus. Pedestrians have the right-of-way, but bicyclists can ride everywhere on campus roadways, paths, and courtyards, except clearly marked Dismount Zones (Sproul and Dwinelle Plazas, during peak period, 8am-6pm). A safe cycling environment is maintained through strictly enforced campus, local, and state laws. Please remember to: wear a safety certified helmet, respect pedestrian rights, use hand signals, obey all stop signs and traffic controls, ride with (not against) traffic, and equip your bicycle with a headlight and side/rear/pedal reflectors. For more information about bicycling in the Bay Area, go online (bicycling.511.org).
Bicycle parking spaces are located throughout the campus and at the residence halls. Bicycles that are parked illegally (on light posts, stairs, ramps, or paths, for instance) interfere with use of the campus, and may be cited or impounded.
The Secure Bicycle Parking Program provides over 120 bicycle parking spaces (in total) at six secure and covered facilities throughout campus. These are for use by UC affiliates only. Each facility contains regular bike racks; high-quality locks must be used. Secure bicycle parking facilities are locked and are accessible only via a personal access code; however, the program is free and is available to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis (pt.berkeley.edu/transportation_alternatives/
secure_bicycle_parking; 2150 Kittredge Street; stoll@berkeley.edu; 510/643-9276).
Avoid bicycle theft by always using a high-quality U-lock correctly. Use it to lock both wheel and frame to a rack in a well-lit, well-traveled area.
Bicycle licenses are a city (and campus) requirement and are offered for free by UCPD. Check the Parking & Transportation website (pt.berkeley.edu) for current dates and times.