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New Directions ProgramBicycle InformationBear PassClass PassCampus Shuttle (BearTransit)"Destination UC Berkeley" Newsletter location2150 Kittredge streetFirst Floor Berkeley, CA 94720-5740 tel: (510) 643-7701search |
What's so Great About the Bear Pass?The Bear Pass program launched in October 2004 and in just over a year has over 1100 employee participants. A good number of pass holders are new AC transit riders and some have even given up driving and parking in order to commute by bus. There are so many reasons that the Bear Pass works for people! User Testimonials"I love my BearPass. I came down and got it with my co-worker in September. I ride the 40 from my old neighborhood because it is a straight shot to campus. It is indeed an amazing experience. As someone who grew up in a big East Coast city, I started taking the bus at an early age. It has been many years since I have had the bus experience on a regular basis. I love it whether the bus comes or not. I try to beat the bus and see how far I can walk to and from campus before the bus comes (great exercise). I have gotten to know many interesting people and local businesses on my way that I used to just drive past. The Bear Pass has definitely added a new dimension to my life and I feel richer because of it. Thanks for helping to subsidize my transportation costs. Every little bit counts." - Andrea Sohn, Residential & Student Services
- Crystal Ritchie, Department of Integrative Biology "I could go on and on about the benefits of the Bear Pass, but let's just say it's simplified my life tremendously. I use AC Transit and BART for my shopping and recreation. Without the Bear Pass, I used to have to calculate how much it was going to cost me to make a trip (including the cost of a transfer and the fact that the transfers aren't good for very long) to see if it was worth making the trip to buy groceries on sale, for example. There were situations where what little bit I saved was eaten up by the bus fare. And I would end up with planning that looked like a football scrimmage, because I was trying to figure out how to make multiple stops on one fare. Now I jump on and off as I please. My time isn't so cramped, and I save - Jude Bell, Department of Art Practice "I LOVE Bear Pass! I live close by in Elmwood and usually walk to work, but I do use the bus if it's raining or if I'm late. I live on the #51 route and this bus takes me almost everywhere I want to go--to campus, gym, grocery shopping, movie theaters, auto repair, school (I go to Vista at night for American Sign Language) and to BART. Funny, I used to drive everywhere, but now I walk. Yes, I walk! When I got the pass a few years ago, I'd start walking if the bus didn't come right away (and the #51 comes pretty often). I walked more and more and now I walk everywhere or take the bus if I don't have time. I'm in better shape and I've lost weight! All because I got a Bear Pass. I also go out every day for lunch now... for fresh air and because there are some many fine restaurants close by or just a short bus ride away." - Brian Shafer, Haas Computing Services "I like to use my Bear Pass every day, so I really hope this program will continue. First of all, it saves me a lot of money - not only because it is a low fare pass, but I've also stopped getting parking tickets! Before I went to work using BART and my car. Sometimes when I stayed at work late, I would find ticket on my windshield! Now I'm taking a bus, and it's quite convenient. I drop off my daughter at her - Mei Tang, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology "I started using the Bear Pass in February. My husband and I had been commuting in a 2-person carpool and we both decided to try AC Transit to see how we liked it. The 43 is very convenient for us -about a 20 minute ride from Albany to Shattuck and Kittredge. I use my Bear Pass at least four days a week. Several days a week we get off early and walk home for the last mile for some excercise, window shopping on Solano Avenue, or occasionally stopping for dinner. I never expected to say this, but I prefer commuting on AC Transit with the Bear Pass to driving. We fill the - Glenda Waugh, Parking & Transportation "Usually I love to walk to campus for work. It's a nice 2.5 mile stretch, with pretty neighborhoods and parks. Unfortunately, several women have been assaulted along my walk in the past year. So, once it started getting dark in the mornings, I purchased the Bear Pass. Fortunately I live near a convenient bus route. The Bear Pass keeps me safe (and takes me right to the RSF to make up for not walking!)." - Kate Chase, Center for Integrative Genomics "I never did like driving - too many crazy people on the road. However, I do like-like-like the Bear Pass! With the fees deducted at the beginning of the month, I no longer have the stress of scrounging for change, and wondering how I'm going to get to work as the end of the month approaches. Now, that is a particular form of stress I do not miss - and it takes one more crazy person off the streets - me!" - Valyrie Brown, CASMA Main Office "Each of our individual choices, collectively, has an impact on local air quality, global warming, traffic congestion, and drilling for oil. Eight hundred of us at UCB now use the Bear Pass for different reasons. But that means there are eight hundred of us off the road and reading our newspapers and books while someone else does the driving! If this means one fewer kid gets asthma, one fewer war over oil, and a cleaner environment for everyone- why not do the right thing? Since I started using the Bear Pass, I only use my car once or twice a week. What a deal! Now I am thinking of getting rid of my car entirely and using City Car share!" – Mary Rose Kaczorowski, Center for Social Services Research "It's been interesting to see the effect of increased gas prices on bus ridership - there are many new people riding daily. And it's good to know that the increase hasn't affected my commute costs at all!"
Transit and Commute FactsTitle of the articleThe Bear Pass saves you money in so many ways!
The Bear Pass insulates you from rising costs
The Bear Pass is convenient
* Assuming an F permit, 22 commute days per month with a 15-mile round-trip, gas costs of $3 per gallon, and 20 mpg, you pay $134.50 vs. $20 per month for the Bear Pass -- a savings of $114.50! ** Savings are dependent upon your tax bracket. *** Source: http://www.californiagasprices.com
Back to "Pass Along the Bear Pass" info.
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