The Lab’s shuttle services, operated through RydeTrans, provide a convenient and reliable alternative method of transportation for the Lab community. Providing over 1,300 rides each day, the service features six routes that circulate both on and off campus to simplify commuting for Lab members.

To learn more about the shuttle experience, we spoke with Cindy Lee, a senior communications specialist at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) and a shuttle super user, to learn what makes shuttles her preferred choice for commuting.

Q. What motivated you to start using the Lab shuttles for your commute to the Lab?

Cindy Lee: There were a couple of things. When I first started at the Lab, I had been living out of the country for almost 3 years, and I hadn’t been driving during that time, so it was nice to have an option where I didn’t have to drive. It just felt like it was a safe way to commute to work. I was living in Emeryville at the time, so I took the Potter shuttle, and it was nice that it picked up very close to my home and brought me all the way to the Lab. I’ve since moved to Albany, so now I take the North Berkeley shuttle, and it’s the same great experience. The drivers always get me to work safely, and I don’t have to deal with commuter traffic.

Q. Can you describe your typical shuttle commute routine?

Cindy: I typically take the same shuttle each day, but I do like having the TripShot app to check and make sure the shuttle is where I expect it to be. If I think I’m running late, I’m able to check whether I think I’ll make it to the shuttle stop on time. And then I get on the shuttle and ride to work, or after work I get back on the shuttle to ride home.

When I first started taking the shuttle, the Potter shuttle was a van, so it was much smaller and it meant that we all got to know each other very well. We were in closer quarters, but there were also fewer people, so we actually started a group chat at that time. There was a sense of community. I think at that time, we actually didn’t have a real-time shuttle tracker yet. It was helpful at that time to know like, ‘Hey, is it running late, or did I miss it completely?’ Having that community, we’ve gotten to know the drivers. So the drivers watch out for us.

Q. How has using the shuttles changed your daily commute experience?

Cindy: It’s great, because I again don’t have to worry about dealing with commuter traffic. I can work on a crossword while I’m heading to work in the morning or finish up some emails in the evening. And there are times when I might not be going straight home. I’ve been able to take the shuttle to go meet a friend for dinner in Berkeley or Oakland, and I really appreciate that the shuttle gets me to where I need to go. It gives me greater flexibility without having to be bogged down with actually driving or parking.

Q. What’s been the biggest benefit or surprise about using the Lab’s shuttles?

Cindy: I think the biggest surprise was finding that community on the shuttle. I think people are generally very friendly. Not everyone has to be best friends, but we are looking out for each other. And yeah, the biggest benefit is not having to drive or park.

Q. What advice would you give to colleagues who are considering using the Lab shuttles for their commute?

Cindy: I definitely recommend using the TripShot app just to know where the shuttle is. And when you see the shuttle coming, wave at it so they’ll stop for you. That’s not always obvious for people.

To learn more about the Lab shuttle routes, visit go.lbl.gov/shuttles.