BruinBus, the campus bus service, returned Sept. 20, including the U1 Weyburn route that had been temporarily suspended, according to UCLA Transportation.
UCLA Transportation runs five regular routes on the BruinBus network, which is complimentary for UCLA students, staff, faculty and visitors. The routes also include the U2 Wilshire, U3 Weyburn/Gateway Plaza, U4 University Apartments and U5 Evening/SafeRide Loop.
However, as of Tuesday, the U3 route is also suspended for two weeks because of staffing shortages, UCLA Transportation said in an emailed statement.
The U1 route was initially temporarily suspended in fall 2020 because of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said, adding that UCLA Transportation partnered with the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus to offset its suspension.
The Big Blue Bus partnership will continue as BruinBus routes return to service, the statement also said.
Local officials in Westwood said they think that BruinBus and other transit options between campus and Westwood Village are important.
North Westwood Neighborhood Council president and UCLA alumnus Furkan Yalcin said he depended on the bus network when he was a student and that buses are vital for commuters.
“BruinBus is a very important part of the transportation infrastructure in Westwood, especially for students,” Yalcin said. “So I’m glad that it’s open and that students can use it this school year.”
Westwood Village Improvement Association executive director Andrew Thomas said that many businesses in the Village benefit from patronage by members of the UCLA community, who may find the walking commute from campus too daunting.
A robust transit system in Westwood benefits everyone, Thomas added.
In addition to regular BruinBus routes, multiple transit options are available to UCLA at reduced rates or free of charge.
Current students, staff and faculty are eligible to receive the UCLA Transportation Bruin Commuter Transit Benefit, which offers a free transit pass valid for one quarter of rides with the Los Angeles Metro, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, Antelope Valley Transit, Santa Clarita Transit, Long Beach Transit and Los Angeles Department of Transportation Commuter Express.
Graduate students may sign up for the Bruin Grad Pass, which is paid for by the Graduate Student Transit Pass referendum. The spring 2020 referendum raised graduate student fees by about $25 per quarter to pay for the comprehensive transit pass, which is available at no additional cost to any graduate student.
The undergraduate version of the referendum was rejected by the student body.
Students, staff and faculty who are ineligible to receive either benefit may purchase the BruinGO! transit pass, which enables access to the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus or Culver CityBus. The pass is also available for free to students with disabilities.
