8/10/24

Getting Around Paradise: The Ultimate Guide to UCSB Public Transportation

So you’re heading to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Awesome choice! You’re probably dreaming about the sun, the beach, the classes (of course), & the whole Gaucho experience. But then a practical question hits you: how am I actually going to get around? Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains & the Pacific Ocean, UCSB's stunning location also comes with its own unique transportation landscape.
Honestly, figuring out the transportation situation at a new university can be a headache. Do you bring a car? Rely on buses? Is biking really that big of a deal? I’ve been there, & I’m here to break it all down for you. This is your insider's guide to navigating UCSB, Isla Vista, & the greater Santa Barbara area like a pro.

The King of Campus: The Santa Barbara MTD Bus System

Let’s start with the most popular & convenient option for getting around: the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD). The bus system here is your best friend, especially as a new student.

Your UCSB Access Card is Your Golden Ticket

Here's the BEST part: as a registered UCSB student, you can ride the MTD buses for FREE. Yup, you read that right. Your tuition fees help cover this, so take full advantage of it. All you need is your valid student ID, known as the Access ID card. When you board any MTD bus, you just tap your Access Card on the farebox, & you're good to go. This free-ride deal is valid from the first day of the quarter until two weeks into the next one, so you're covered even during breaks.
Getting your Access ID is one of the first things you'll do as a student. You can request it online through a Google Form, & it costs $30, which gets billed to your BARC account. Once it's ready, you pick it up at the University Center. Heads up, there was an update to the cards in late 2022, so if you have an older card, you might need a new one for it to work on the bus. If you ever have issues with your card, there’s a form you can fill out to report the problem.
Faculty & staff also get a sweet deal. They can ride the Line 28 shuttle for free just by showing their current UCSB-issued Photo ID card. For other routes, faculty & staff who are on the UCSB payroll for at least 45% time & for at least six months can get a discounted 30-day bus pass from the Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS) office, as long as they don't have a parking permit.

Key Bus Routes for Gauchos

You’ll quickly get familiar with a few key MTD routes that are your lifelines to getting around campus, Isla Vista (IV), & Goleta. The main hub on campus for catching these buses is the bus loop near North Hall, just southwest of the Student Affairs & Administrative Services (SAASB) building.
Here are the routes you'll likely use the most:
  • Line 11 (State/Hollister/UCSB): This is a major route that connects the UCSB campus to downtown Santa Barbara. It’s a long route with 53 stops, taking you through Goleta, past the airport, down Hollister Avenue, & all the way to the Transit Center on State Street. It’s your go-to for exploring downtown, hitting the shops, or going out for a nice dinner. It runs every day, starting as early as 6:00 AM on weekdays.
  • Line 24x (UCSB Express): As the name suggests, this is a faster way to get between UCSB, Isla Vista, & the Camino Real Marketplace. It’s an express route, so it has fewer stops, making it a quicker option for getting to the shopping center.
  • Line 15x (SBCC/UCSB Express): This route is perfect if you have friends at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) or need to get to that part of town. It connects UCSB, Isla Vista, & SBCC.
  • Line 27 (Isla Vista Shuttle): This is your dedicated IV shuttle. It loops around Isla Vista, hitting key spots like Sabado Tarde, Abrego Road, & the Santa Catalina residence halls, before heading to the Camino Real Marketplace. It’s super handy for getting around the student neighborhood without having to walk everywhere.
  • Line 28 (UCSB Shuttle): This is another super useful, UCSB-funded shuttle. It runs between the main campus, the Santa Catalina residence halls, & the Camino Real Marketplace. This is the route that faculty & staff can ride for free.
You can find detailed maps & schedules for all these routes on the Santa Barbara MTD website. They also have a real-time bus tracking feature called BusTracker, which you can access on their site or by texting them. This is a lifesaver for knowing exactly when your bus will arrive.

Taking Your Bike on the Bus

One of the great things about the MTD buses is that they are all equipped with bike racks on the front. So, if you bike to a bus stop but want to take the bus the rest of the way, you can easily bring your bike with you. The racks are first-come, first-served, so keep that in mind during busy times.

The Two-Wheeled Life: UCSB's Legendary Biking Culture

You can't talk about getting around UCSB without talking about bikes. It's not just a way to get from point A to point B; it's a core part of the Gaucho identity. The university has been intentionally developing its bicycle infrastructure for over 50 years, & it shows.

A Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly University

UCSB has been recognized as a Platinum-level Bike Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. This is the highest honor a university can receive, & it's a testament to the incredible biking environment on campus. We're talking about a campus with:
  • 9 bike-only roundabouts
  • 3 bike-only underpasses
  • 20,000 bike parking spots
  • An extensive network of dedicated bike paths
In 2023, about 35% of students used a bike as their main way to get to campus, which is a HUGE number compared to most other universities.

The Rules of the Road (or, Bike Path)

With so many bikes, there have to be some rules to keep everyone safe. The campus bike paths can get seriously congested, especially in the 10 minutes before classes start. Reckless biking is a real problem, & the UCSB Police Department (UCPD) does issue citations for not following traffic laws. Remember, when you're biking in Isla Vista, the same rules of the road apply to you as they do to cars – that means stopping at stop signs!
To keep things running smoothly, here are a few key things to remember:
  • Register your bike: It's legally required to register your bike to ride it on campus. It costs $10 & is good for four years. You can do this at the CSO Office. Registration is also proof of ownership, which is super helpful if your bike is ever stolen or impounded.
  • Park in designated racks: ALWAYS park your bike in a bike rack. If you park it against a tree, a wall, or in a walkway, it can be impounded, & the release fee is $24.
  • Walk your bike on sidewalks: The bike paths are for bikes; the sidewalks are for pedestrians. Walk your bike on the sidewalks to avoid accidents.
  • Use your voice or a bell: When you're turning or passing someone, use a bell or call out to let them know you're there. It's all about being spatially aware.
  • Don't wear headphones or use your phone: This is a big one. You need to be able to hear what's going on around you.

Bike Resources on Campus

UCSB has some great resources to support its biking culture. The Associated Students (A.S.) Bike Shop is a fantastic place to get help with your bike. They'll sell you parts & let you use their tools for free, & they'll even teach you how to do your own repairs. The A.S. Bike Committee also has a huge budget that they use to improve the bike paths & intersections on campus.

To Bring a Car or Not to Bring a Car? That is the Question.

This is one of the biggest dilemmas for incoming students. Having a car offers a certain freedom, but at UCSB, it comes with a LOT of challenges.

The Harsh Reality of Parking at UCSB

Let's be blunt: parking at UCSB can be a nightmare. The Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS) department has a reputation for being pretty strict. The parking lots are often confusingly marked, & it's easy to get a citation, which can be pretty expensive.
On-campus parking permits, called ePermits, are linked to your license plate, so there's no physical sticker. These permits are sold on a quarterly basis, but eligibility can be tricky. Generally, freshmen living in the residence halls are not eligible for a parking permit. Parking is VERY limited & is mostly reserved for commuter students who live more than two miles from campus, as well as faculty & staff.
Even if you are eligible for a permit, they are not cheap. A student commuter permit can cost a significant amount per quarter.

The Isla Vista Parking Hunger Games

So what about parking off-campus in Isla Vista? It's not much better. Street parking is free, but it's incredibly competitive. You might end up circling for a long time to find a spot, & then you might have to park blocks away from your apartment. The good news is there's no street sweeping in IV, so you can leave your car in one spot for a while.
Some apartments & private landlords offer private parking spots for rent, but these are also limited & can be expensive. This is where a little-known secret can save you a TON of hassle & money.
Here’s the thing, many homeowners in the neighborhoods around UCSB & Goleta have empty driveways or garages. They're not using them, & you need a place to park. That’s where Prked comes in. Prked is a pretty cool service that connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space. You can rent a private driveway or garage space by the month, & it's often way more affordable & convenient than trying to find street parking or paying for a campus permit (if you can even get one). It's a win-win: you get a guaranteed, safe place to park your car, & a local resident makes a little extra cash. It’s a genius solution to the parking crunch that plagues college towns.

The Case for Going Car-Free

Honestly, most students at UCSB get by just fine without a car. Between the fantastic MTD bus system & the amazing biking infrastructure, you can get to most places you need to go on a daily basis without ever getting behind the wheel. Living in the "UCSB bubble" of campus & Isla Vista is a real thing, & for many, a car is more of a burden than a benefit.

Beyond the Bubble: Long-Distance Travel

What about when you want to get out of Santa Barbara for the weekend or head home for the holidays? You've got options there too, no car required.

Buses to SoCal & Beyond

  • FlixBus: This is a popular & affordable option for getting to other cities in California & even to neighboring states like Arizona & Nevada. They have a stop conveniently located near UCSB.
  • Santa Barbara Airbus: This is your go-to for getting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It's a comfortable & reliable coach service that runs multiple times a day.
  • Clean Air Express & Coastal Express: These are more for daily commuters, but they connect Santa Barbara to places like Lompoc, Santa Maria, Ventura, & Oxnard.

Riding the Rails with Amtrak

Amtrak is another great option for long-distance travel. The Goleta Amtrak station is the closest to campus, though the main Santa Barbara station downtown is also accessible by bus. The train offers beautiful coastal views & is a relaxing way to travel to places like Los Angeles, San Diego, or up to the Bay Area. Students between 17 & 24 can get a 15% discount on Amtrak tickets, which is a great deal.

Ridesharing

There are also very active UCSB rideshare groups on Facebook, especially for trips to the Bay Area or Los Angeles. This can be a cheap & fast way to get home, as you're splitting the cost of gas with other students.

A Note on Storage

While we're talking about the logistics of college life, let's touch on storage. Whether you're moving in, moving out, or just have too much stuff for your dorm room, finding a place to keep your things can be a challenge. Traditional storage units can be expensive & located far from campus.
This is another area where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Just like with parking, Prked connects people who need storage space with homeowners who have extra room in their garages, attics, basements, or even closets. You can find a secure, convenient, & MUCH more affordable storage solution right in a nearby neighborhood. It’s perfect for storing your things over the summer or just decluttering your living space.

The Final Word

Navigating the transportation landscape at UCSB might seem daunting at first, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you know your options. The university has done an amazing job of creating a campus that is easy to get around without a car. Leaning into the bus & bike culture is not just practical; it's a huge part of the UCSB experience.
My advice? Leave the car at home, at least for your first year. Embrace the freedom of hopping on a bus for free, the convenience of biking to class, & the walkability of Isla Vista. And for those times when you DO need a car, or a place to park one, or even a spot to store your extra stuff, remember that there are smart solutions like Prked that can make your life a whole lot easier.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think. Enjoy your time at UCSB – it’s an incredible place to be
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