East Bay Commute Options

My clients who are new to the East Bay frequently ask me about commuting options. While BART is usually top of mind for new residents, there are plenty of other options available to the well-informed commuter:

1. AC Transit buses run throughout the East Bay. Service includes local and express buses as well as Trans-Bay service to downtown San Francisco from several East Bay cities including Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Alameda (just to name a few). More information including routes, pricing, and schedules can be found on AC Transit's website.
2. Casual Carpool is a series of designated spots throughout the East Bay where drivers stop and pick-up riders to form a carpool. In the East Bay it takes 3 or more people in a car to use the carpool lane. The benefit for the driver is use of the carpool lane for a faster drive time and lower bridge toll. The benefit for the rider is a much lower commute cost (riders generally each chip-in $1 towards the Bay Bridge toll). And everyone benefits by easing congestion and lowering green-house gas emissions. More information about casual carpooling can be found at 511.org. 
3. Bicycle Commuting can be a great option. And many East Bay cities have made recent improvements to their bicycle networks with dedicated bike lanes and better signage. Plus it helps the environment and gives you a cardio workout all at the same time! More information can be found at bikeeastbay.org.
4. Walking! If you are fortunate enough to live near work, then this is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. There are many East Bay neighborhoods with excellent walk scores. More information on neighborhood walk scores can be found at walkscore.com.