Transportation Initiatives
Visit the Stanford Transportationwebsite for more information about the transportation programs and services.
Free Shuttle
The Marguerite shuttle provides free transit for the Stanford community and the public, utilizing a fleet that includes electric and hybrid diesel-electric buses. In 2019, Marguerite ridership was over 2.74 million, with Stanford's free shuttle taking riders to campus locations, regional transit systems, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and local shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations.
Cleaner Vehicles
Stanford's Marguerite fleet includes 41 all-electric buses. Other efforts to operate a cleaner fleet include replacing larger buses on midday routes with smaller, more fuel-efficient buses and offering hybrid vehicles in the car-sharing program. As of 2020, 50% of Stanford’s 1,112 fleet vehicles are electric, with an ever-increasing number of hybrid options.
Commuter Incentives
Eligible employees and students who commuted to campus in 2019 by means other than driving alone could earn cash payments through the Stanford Commute Club. Clean Air Cash for Commute Club members was available for eligible commuting students, staff, and faculty to offset transit, bicycle, vanpool, or other expenses, but was not limited to commute expenses. Employees who commuted by carpool or vanpool received free parking passes and reserved spaces. In 2019, Stanford also offered prize drawings for Commute Club members. The Commute Club was suspended in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting work-from-home order.
Free Transit Passes
Eligible commuting employees, off-campus graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars can get free passes for Caltrain. Eligible employees also receive free passes for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus and light rail. Stanford Redwood City employees also qualify for free monthly SamTrans passes. Eligible East Bay employees qualify for the EasyPass, which includes free access to the Dumbarton Express East Bay express bus service and all other AC Transit service. Students, staff, and faculty can ride for free on transbay express bus service on AC Transit’s Line U, a service subsidized by Stanford.
Transit for the Peninsula and East Bay
Platinum Bike Friendly Campus
Stanford University was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists with a third Platinum Bicycle Friendly University (BFUSM) award. Stanford was the first university to be recognized at the highest level when the program launched in 2011 and is the only university to receive a renewal of its Platinum designation for 2019-2023.
Car Sharing and Ridesharing
Employees and students receive discounted rates on Zipcar car sharing. Stanford has the largest university Zipcar fleet in the nation. Commuters are also able to take advantage of ridesharing opportunities, including Scoop, a ridematching app with flexible scheduling and Stanford-funded rider and driver incentives. Stanford’s Scoop subsidy ended on Dec. 29, 2020.
Clean Transportation Policies
In addition to offering incentives for green commutes to and from campus, Stanford adopts numerous clean transportation policies. Stanford provides alternative transportation information for new employees and new students, and assesses fees on new campus development and parking to help fund sustainable transportation programs. To ensure continued progress, Stanford Transportation has a campus-wide Peak Trip Working Group and several full-time staff dedicated to sustainable transportation assistance, promotion, and peak-hour trip reduction. Stanford Transportation also expanded vehicle charging stations on campus.