For UCLA Transportation, 2020 was eagerly anticipated as an opportunity to build on our many achievements in 2019. Even as those plans were upended by the global pandemic, we never wavered in our mission to provide the campus community with safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility options, while also pivoting to support the University's COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Here's just some of what we accomplished this past year.
ENHANCED VEHICLE SAFETY PROTOCOLS
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, transit services on campus and across Los Angeles County amplified their efforts to prioritize the safety and well-being of their passengers. For BruinBus, those modifications included cleaning and disinfecting buses throughout the day, installing hand sanitizer dispensers on board, reducing capacity to allow for physical distancing, and requiring drivers and passengers to wear face coverings. The enhanced safety protocols extended to our other vehicle services including UCLA SafeRide, BruinAccess, BruinCar, and our unleaded fueling station.
UCLA BIKE MONTH
Although we weren't able to hold our usual Bike Week celebration on campus, we went virtual with UCLA Bike Month on our digital channels throughout May. This year's campaign focused on the many benefits of biking as a healthy, affordable, sustainable, and fun way to get around. We shared helpful biking tips and hosted weekly social media contests with prizes such as bike kits and Amazon gift cards!
UCLA HEALTH ZERO-EMISSION SHUTTLE BUSES
To support patient care at UCLA’s hospitals in Westwood and Santa Monica, we collaborated with UCLA Health to procure two GreenPower zero-emission shuttle buses that are transporting patients and visitors, as well as staff and faculty working at the medical centers. The GreenPower EV Star Min-E buses join an expanding green fleet that provides essential mobility to the UCLA community every day of the year, and contribute to our work in reducing carbon emissions by implementing alternative fuel vehicles and technologies.
BRUIN GRAD PASS
With the April 2020 passage of the graduate student transit pass referendum, UCLA graduate students have access to the Bruin Grad Pass program, which offers unlimited fare-free rides on Los Angeles Metro bus and rail lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Culver CityBus during each academic year. The newly instated fee is a significant discount off standard transit rates and is further offset by UCLA Transportation subsidies, saving students hundreds of dollars a year in transportation costs and transit pass fees
UCLA SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION MONTH
We celebrated National Rideshare Month in October with a virtual Sustainable Transportation Month celebration. This year's theme was "Get Movin', Bruins!" as we encouraged the campus community to rethink their ride and try a better way of getting around. We shared all the reasons why walking, biking, or using public transit are better alternatives to driving alone, and just like Bike Month hosted social media contests with prizes!
COVID-19 MOBILE TESTING BUS
We partnered with the Ashe Center to bring COVID-19 testing directly to Bruins living or working locally by converting a BruinBus into a mobile testing unit. The UCLA Mobile Testing Bus operates weekdays and is free for students, faculty, and staff with an active BruinCard. The test uses a self-administered nasal swab that is quick and painless, and results arrive within 24-36 hours via text or email.
GRADUATE STUDENT BIKE RENTALS
In an effort to provide additional commute options for UCLA graduate students, we partnered with UCLA Housing & Hospitality Services to offer complimentary bike rentals at various graduate student housing locations. Residents with a valid Bruin ID and UCLA Google Account have access to 48 bikes located at Weyburn Terrace, which have been reused from the recently discontinued Bruin Bike Share program.
With all of the challenges in 2020, we look forward to a brighter 2021 for all Bruins as we continue to serve the mobility needs of the UCLA community.
