Alternative Transportation

The Department of Public Safety & Transportation actively works with members of the campus community and the Town of Moraga to implement effective transportation programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle traffic, enhance the campus sustainability efforts, and improve the commuter parking experience on campus. We encourage you to consider alternative modes of transportation to work/school as often as possible to help SMC with its goal of lowering the single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) coming onto campus.
Bus with "Lafayette Bart" on the front.

Bus & BART

Ride BART to school/work and take the CCCTA Bus Line 6 for FREE from Lafayette or Orinda to SMC simply by showing your SMC ID. Schedule information here.

Gael Rail Night Bus Service - Suspended for Fall 2020

The Gael Rail, route 250, is a supplemental shuttle service between Saint Mary’s and Lafayette BART that runs beginning when the regular CCCTA service ends. The Gael Rail runs every hour on the hour as a supplement to the regular County Connection bus service. The final shuttle of the evening is at the Lafayette BART station when the last BART train arrives for the night.  

Gideon Gael leaning into a car

Saint Mary's Ride Smart Program with Lyft - Suspended for Fall 2020

Lyft Program Opening in Spring Term

Saint Mary's has a partnership for shared ride subsidies with Lyft ride-hailing service.  You can use your existing Lyft account by adding your Saint Mary's email address to it.

Shared rides that start or end at Saint Mary’s College and are to/from designated pick-up/drop off points will be subsidized for a portion of the ride. The designated pick-up/drop off points will include the Lafayette BART station, Ascot/Donald Dr. residential area (which has been expanded to include our Rheem campus), and Moraga Safeway.

Users will be responsible for costs exceeding the limitations of their Lyft program allowance.

Starting Fall 2020 there will be 4 Lyft Programs. Once you have determined whether you will be purchasing a parking permit, please contact psadmin@stmarys-ca.edu to be added to the correct program.

Students Without Permits: $13 per ride, 18 rides per month

Students With Permits: $10 per ride, 10 rides per month

Employees Without Permits: $10 per ride, 7 rides per month

Employees With Permits: $10 per ride, 5 rides per month

We will be monitoring data from Lyft to evaluate use patterns and opportunities for refinement in Spring 2021.

Bikes parked in bike rack.

Bike/ Walk

The 7.65-mile Lafayette-Moraga Regional biking and walking trail parallels St. Mary's Road through Lafayette and Moraga. Get the details on safe routes and incentives here.

Arial View of Cars parked

Carpool

For the 2020-2021 year Carpool Permits have been suspended.

The 511 San Francisco/Bay Area Carpool & Vanpool program and other commuting options:

511 SF/Bay Area Carpool & Vanpool is another way to find rides to SMC. Carpool & Vanpool matches can be made by applying online. Visit the 511 Contra Costa site here for details.