BruinGo - Transportation
BruinGo
All currently registered UCLA students, along with UCLA faculty and staff that hold a valid BruinCard have a ticket to ride! The BruinCard, along with a 25 cent co-payment, gives you unlimited access to either the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus or the Culver CityBus system routes. On the Big Blue Bus, swipe your BruinCard through the fare box and make your co-pyament. On the Culver CityBus just show the driver your BruinCard and make your co-payment. There are no charges or debits to your BruinCard, and the fare box automatically counts the trip and bills it to UCLA Transportation.
Benefits of BruinGO!
- More UCLA bus riders decrease demand for on-campus parking
- More UCLA bus riders mean less pollution and less vehicle congestion in and around campus
- The cost of travel is less. Swipe your BruinCard, along with a 25 cent co-payment
- Less driving means less stress, less traffic, and fewer commute concers.
BruingGO! Background
The BruinGO! program began as a one-year pilot with Big Blue bus in the 2000-2001 academic year. It was the first transit pass program to use the University ID card as a fare box swipe. In 2003, Culver CityBus joined the program and riders had even more GO! The program also introduced the 25 cent co-payment fee, as costs accelerated due to an increase in base bus fares and the addition of new service. The transit pass programs have a shared cost responsibility, similar to users of other alternative transportation programs on campus.
In 2005-2006 Metro joined UCLA's transit pass offerings, and riders have the convenience of riding Metro "24/7" with a special discounted UCLA transit pass. However, Metro riders must buy the pass in advance since Metro buses and trains are not equipped to read the BruinCard. Metro now offers the TAP pass which may be used on Metro buses and rails.
BruinGO! FAQ's
- Who may ride with the BruinGO! transit pass program?
- How do I get a BruinCard?
- Is BruinGO! valid for the entire year?
- What is the cost?
- Is there an easier alternative to the 25 cent co-payment?
- Why is there a 25 cent co-payment?
- How do I transfer to other buses?
- Can I only ride to and from the UCLA campus when I use BruinGO?
- How do I find out more about bus routes and services?
- How do I travel during the summer break?
- Is BruinGO! the same as the Go Metro Program
Who may ride with the BruinGO! transit pass program?
All currently enrolled UCLA students and current UCLA staff and faculty with a valid BruinCard may participate and ahve unlimited access with BruinGO! to any Santa Monica Big Blue Bus or Culver CityBus.
How do I get a BruinCard?
The BruinCard is a multi-purpose card available to UCLA students, faculty, and staff. To obtain a BruinCard, stop by one of the BruinCard Centers: 123 Kerckhoff Hall, 150A Sproul Hall, or the UCLA Wilshire Center, Suite 107. Medical Center employees please visit the CHS ID office located at the NPI Building, room B8-153, to obtain a BruinCard.
Is BruinGO! valid for the entire year?
The BruinGO! program will be in effect for the academic year: Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. In 2008-2009, the program runs through June 14, 2009.
What is the cost?
There is no debit to your BruinCard when you swipe it through the bus fare box. The only cost to you is a 25 cent user co-payment each time you board, which can be pre-paid on a BruinGO! Flash Pass.
Is there an easier alternative to the 25 cent co-payment?
If having coins on-hand is not always convenient for you and you are a frequent rider, you may want to purchase a co-payment 'Flash Pass' card at the beginning of the quarter for $22.50. You just swipe your BruinCard on the Big Blue Bus or show the drive your BruinCard on the Culver CityBus when you board the bus, flash the co-payment card, and GO! The card is sold online at www.transportation.ucla.edu and in the Transportation lobby, located at 555 Westwood Plaze in the Strathmore Building. See the website for more detailed information.
Why is there a 25 cent co-payment?
BruinGO! users have a shared cost responsibility, similar to users of other alternative transportation programs on campus. Since BruinGO! began in 2000, the goal has been to seek permanent funding from a combination of sources, including campus fees, student referendums, and other available funding options. With the 25 cent per ride co-payment, riders are contributing 36% of the program cost. UCLA Transportation, by using parking fee revenue subsidizes the remaining 64% of the cost.
How do I transfer to other buses?
You will need a transfer if taking more than one bus to reach your destination. Each transit company has a different policy for transferring from one bus to another. If you need to buy a transfer coupon ask the driver when you board your first bus.
- From one Big Blue Bus to another, just swipe your BruinCard again
- From Big Blue Bus to Metro or Culver CityBus, the transfer costs 50 cents
- From one Culver CityBus to another, transfers are free
- From Culver CityBus to Big Blue Bus or Metro, the transfer costs 25 cents
Can I only ride to and from the UCLA campus when I use BruinGO?
With the BruinGO! program you have the privilege of riding any of the Big Blue Bus or Culver CityBus rotes at any time of the day or night 7 days a week. However, your BruinGO! access is not valid with Metro or other transit providers.
How do I find out more about bus routes and services?
For your convenience, there are maps and other alternative transportation information from the UCLA Commuter Assistance Ridesharing Office (CAR), located in the Transportation lobby at 555 Westwood Plaza in the Strathmore Building. CAR can be reached at (310)-794-RIDE.
How do I travel during the summer break?
If you remain a UCLA student or employee, you can purchase a Flash Pass for the summer. Otherwise, you will have to pay the full 75 cent fare.
Is the BruingGO! the same as the Go Metro Program?
The BruinGO! program is only valid on the Big Blue Bus and the Culver CityBus, since they have fare boxes that can "read" the UCLA BruinCard. Metro buses and trains do not have a compatible fare box. However, UCLA Transportation now has a new subsidized Go Metro pass that gives you unlimited access to Metro buses and trains. If you are a regular Metro commuter, check out the benefits!
*Note: Your Go Metro pass will not work ont he Big Blue Bus or Culver CityBus.
