New Routes, Expanded Service,  GPS to Improve Bus Service

After significant analysis and feedback from staff provided during two brown-bag meetings with Lab Director Steve Chu, the Facilities Division has unveiled enhancements to the shuttle bus service. The changes — scheduled to start on Monday, Nov. 3— will shorten the amount of time between bus arrivals especially during peak hours, increase coverage between the Lab and the campus, and improve overall efficiency. Details of the enhancements are described below. Contact Tammy Brown for more information by sending an email to [email protected].

Routes

The Blue bus will run from downtown up Hearst Ave., enter via Blackberry Gate, and travel to all stops throughout the Lab, including Building 90 uphill and downhill, before heading back to downtown. This continuous loop will continue from 6:20 a.m. to  7:30 p.m., with buses coming every 11 minutes during morning commute hours (7:30 to 10 a.m.), and every 13 minutes outside those hours.

The Orange bus will depart the Lab from the Building 62/66 stop via Strawberry Gate, travel along Centennial Drive, down Bancroft Way, through downtown, up Hearst Ave., turning on Gayley Road to reach Centennial Drive, and back to the Lab. Buses will come every 12 minutes during peak hours (7:40 to 10 a.m.), and every 18 minutes (6:20 am to 7:00 pm).

The Green bus will no longer provide onsite-only service. Instead it will be used to shuttle passengers directly from the Building 62/66 stop to the Hearst Mining Circle, located near the northeastern edge of the campus. Buses will come every 16 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.

There will be fewer stops along these routes, so staff should check the bus map for locations. Additional vehicles and drivers will be added to enable faster turn-around time and coverage. Go here to view the new routes and stops, and here for the schedules.

Rockridge shuttle route and schedule will remain the same.

Potter/JBEI schedule is in development to coordinate with buses connecting to the Lab and may be slightly altered.

Building 88 passengers will travel to the Blackberry Gate to board the Blue bus to travel up or down hill.

GPS Real-Time Updates

Mid November,shortly after the Nov. 3 rollout, a new service utilizing GPS technology will enable riders to obtain real-time information on bus arrivals. Using the “Nextbus” service, employees can find out when the next bus is due to arrive at their stop by calling, going online, or checking digital signs.

On-Call Service (Pilot)

As part of a pilot program, an on-call service for staff needing to travel within the Hill will be launched. “Labporter” service can be reserved by phone or online. The service will be available between 10:30 a.m. and noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. Specific details of the reservation system are currently in development, but will be completed by the Nov. 3 roll out. Look for updated information in Today at Berkeley Lab.