Frequently Asked Questions
Areas of Service
Q. Can I use a transbay bus for a local trip?
A. Several transbay lines travel some distance within the East Bay before making the trip across the bay. The following transbay lines do not carry passengers who are intending to ride only within the East Bay: FS, L, NX, NX1, NX2, NX3, U and W. Local riders are allowed on all other transbay lines.
Q. Where can I get trip planning information?
A. Check the Maps and Schedules area on our website for information on routes and to view timetables.
You can also dial 511 and say “AC Transit” to speak with a representative about trip planning or other transit information. The hours are Monday through Friday – 6:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Another option is to use one of the various trip planning tools listed on our website here.
Q. Can I travel to the Peninsula on AC Transit?
A. AC Transit provides service to Foster City and San Mateo on Line M. The line runs from Hayward BART to Hillsdale Mall via the San Mateo Bridge.
Line U offers service from Fremont and Newark to Stanford University via the Dumbarton Bridge.
Also, the Dumbarton Express provides service from Union City BART to Stanford University and the Stanford Research Park via the Ardenwood Park and Ride and the Dumbarton Bridge.
Q. Does AC Transit provide service to Treasure Island?
A. No. Bus service to Treasure Island is provided by San Francisco MUNI. From the East Bay, you can take any of AC Transit’s transbay lines to the Temporary Transbay Terminal in San Francisco, and then catch a MUNI bus to Treasure Island.
Q. Which AC Transit bus can I take to get to Oakland International Airport?
A. Line 73 provides service from the Eastmont Transit Center to the Oakland Airport via the Coliseum BART station.
Line 805 provides service to the Oakland Airport during late night and early morning hours via MacArthur Blvd and the Eastmont Transit Center.
Q. Do you provide service to San Francisco?
A. There are 33 lines that provide transbay service to San Francisco and the Peninsula from the East Bay. The service to San Francisco operates via the Bay Bridge to the Temporary Transbay Terminal near Howard and Main Streets. All transbay lines are designated with a letter rather than a number.
In addition, we have All Nighter bus service to and from San Francisco and several points within the East Bay during the overnight hours.
Fare Payment
Q. Can I use my Clipper card on AC Transit?
A. Absolutely. For information on using Clipper on AC Transit, check here.
Also, visit www.clippercard.com for details on how to obtain a Clipper Card.
Q. My pass is damaged and won’t work. Can I get a replacement?
A. If you have a valid paper pass that no longer works, please click here to print out a magnetic pass claim form.
If you have a Clipper card that is damaged, please contact Clipper Customer Service at 877-878-8883.
Q. What is the current fare for Dumbarton Express buses?
A. Click here for complete fare informaton on Dumbarton Express.
Holiday Schedules
Q. Do buses operate on different schedules on holdays?
A. For 2015, all Local and Transbay lines will run on a Sunday schedule on the following days:
New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday Jan. 19
Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25
Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7
Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25
To view Sunday schedules, see any individual bus line.
Lost and Found
Q. What should I do if I lose something on an AC Transit bus?
A. Please complete the appropriate form on our Customer Feedback web page.
Parking Tickets
Q. What do I do if I receive a citation for parking in an AC Transit bus zone?
A. Follow the directions on the back of your citation, or call 800-654-7275, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to speak with a Parking Enforcement Representative. More detailed information can be seen here.
Rider Rules
Q. Are animals allowed on the bus?
A. Pets must be carried in a secure container secure small enough to fit on the owners lap, and the animal must not be a danger or annoyance to other passengers.
Service animals, leashed, on a lead or otherwise under the physical control and supervision of the owner at all times, and accompanying people with disabilities, are always allowed on AC Transit buses.
Please read the full AC Transit animal policy.
Q. Can I bring my bike on the bus?
A. All AC Transit buses are equipped with easy-to-use bicycle racks. Racks are mounted on the front of the bus and each holds two bikes. You can board a bicycle any time of day, without an extra fare or permit. Please read the full Bicycle policy here. For the time being, the new smaller model of 24-foot bus used on Line 46L will not have bicycle racks installed.
Spare the Air
Transfer Policies
Q. Can I receive a discount on my AC Transit fare if I transfer from another transit agency?
A. Valid passes and transfers from the following agencies will be accepted by AC Transit for a local fare credit at intersecting points, transit centers and BART stations. If you need to transfer to another AC Transit bus, you will have to pay the full fare on the next bus.
Alameda/Oakland Ferry
Capitol Corridor
City of Benecia
Contra Costa County Transit
Fairfield/Suisun Transit
Golden Gate Transit
Harbor Bay Ferry
SamTrans
Union City Transit
Vallejo Transit
Valley Transit Authority
WCCTA WestCAT
Other agencies’ fare instruments are not valid for transbay trips. Regular transbay fare is required if boarding a transbay bus.
Q. Can I transfer from a transbay bus to a local bus?
A. Effective July 1, 2014 transfers to and from transbay buses are only available on Clipper. You can transfer from a transbay bus to a local bus within 120 minutes of tagging your Clipper card for no additional fare. And when transferring from a local bus to a transbay bus, Clipper will deduct only an upgrade fare ($2.20 for adults, $1.10 for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities) on the transbay bus.
Q. How does the BART-to-Bus transfer work?
A. If you are transferring from BART to a local AC Transit bus and using cash fare, you can get a two-part BART-to-Bus transfer before exiting BART. The first part of the transfer is good for 25 cents off of the the first local bus fare, and the second part is good for 25 cents off your return trip on AC Transit to BART (up to 72 hours from the time issued). Present the intact transfer to the bus operator when paying.
Using your Clipper card, you can transfer from BART to a local AC Transit bus at BART stations, and Clipper will automatically discount your first ride within 90 minutes by 50 cents.
BART-to-Bus transfers are not valid for a discount on transbay fares.
UC Berekely Pass Program
Q. What is a UC Berkeley Bear Pass?
A. A Bear Pass allows faculty, staff, post-doctorates, visiting scholars and other select UC employees unlimited use of AC Transit local and transbay buses. Please visit the UC Berkeley website for information on pricing.
Q. What is a UC Berkeley Class Pass?
A. A UC Berkeley Class Pass allows students registered and attending UC Berkeley unlimited rides aboard all AC Transit local and transbay buses, except the Dumbarton Express. For information on obtaining a Class Pass, please contact the UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Department.