Learn About Taking the Bus
Public transit saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. If an individual switches a 20-mile round-trip commute to public transit, his or her annual CO2 emissions will decrease by 4,800 pounds per year, equal to a 10 percent reduction in a two-car household's carbon footprint. And, an individual can achieve an average annual savings of more than $10,000 by taking public transit instead of driving and by living with one less car.
The UCR campus is served by both bus and rail from the neighboring counties of San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange.
To find a public transit route best suited for your trip to campus, go to Google Maps and plan your trip using public transportation. The Google Maps Transit Trip Planner provides the full route, calculates mileage, estimates travel time, and dollars saved by leaving the car at home.
RTA UPASS PROGRAM (Riverside Transit Agency)
UCR is pleased to have partnered with RTA in providing all students, faculty and staff free access to public transportation. Several RTA routes directly service the UCR community and many Western Riverside County neighboring communities. Register for your free mobile transit permit and simply use your phone when boarding any RTA fixed-route and you’ll ride for free.
RTA Routes Serving UCR
As of June 15, 2021, RTA has opened its buses to full capacity. Masks will continue to be required while riding the bus, per federal law. RTA currently offers service on 32 local fixed routes, three CommuterLink express routes, and Dial-A-Ride. You may view current routes at Riverside Transit Maps and Schedules.
There are currently five routes with direct stops at UCR:
| Route Number | Areas Served |
|---|---|
| 1 | Corona through Riverside to UCR |
| 16 | Riverside Downtown to Moreno Valley Mall with stop at UCR |
| 51 | Crest Cruiser with regular loops through Canyon Crest |
| 56 |
Hunter Park to UCR loop with stops around UCR campus |
| 204 CommuterLink Express | Montclair Transcenter to UCR |
Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students
Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students who make their daily commute to and from the UC Riverside campus using public transit are eligible to participate in the Public Transit Program. Registered participants cannot hold a daytime commuter parking permit.
You must enroll in the R'Commute (Alternative Transportation Program) to receive incentives. Eligibility of incentives is subject to verification using University electronic records.
Complimentary Parking Privileges
Registered Public Transit participants are eligible to receive a complimentary Blue 10-pack parking permit each quarter. Actual allotments provided are dependent on enrollment dates and are prorated. 10-pack permits roll-over each quarter, however they expire at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.
Learn more about the Program Rules & Eligibility.
Take the worry out of ridesharing. Faculty or staff enrolled in the Transit Program are eligible to participate in the Regional Guaranteed Ride Home Program offered through IE Commuter. The program reimburses you for up to two emergency rides per year when using Lyft, Taxi, or Uber to get home in an emergency. The program is intended for personal and family emergencies or unscheduled overtime at the request of your supervisor. It is not available for rides to work, scheduled appointments or planned overtime.
For complete program rules go to IE511.org
To arrange for an Emergency Ride Home:
- Arrange your own ride home via Lyft, Uber, Taxi, or other such ride-hailing services.
- Save receipt(s). A 15% tip is allowed for reimbursement.
- Complete the required Reimbursement Claim Form and scan/email along with a copy of the receipt(s) to Transportation Services at alttransportation@ucr.edu.
- Transportation Services will verify, sign, and submit to IE Commuter for reimbursement.
- Program is valid for up to two emergency ride homes each fiscal year.
For further details, call Transportation Services at (951) 827-8277.