Genentech's Free Buses: A Comfortable And Convenient Commute

Genentech, a biotechnology company and one of San Francisco's largest employers, offers a comprehensive transportation program for its employees. The company provides a range of commute options, including commuter buses, ferries, vanpools, and more, to help employees get to and from its South San Francisco corporate campus. Genentech's transportation program is designed to be sustainable and reduce traffic congestion, with the goal of having a fully electric bus fleet by 2025. While some sources mention that Genentech's buses are free for employees, it's not clear if there is a cost associated with using the buses for non-employees or the general public. The company prioritizes sustainability and employee well-being, and its transportation program plays a key role in achieving these goals.

Genentech's gRide program includes commuter buses, ferries, vanpools and more

Genentech's gRide program is an extensive transportation network of shared and sustainable commute options for over 12,000 on-site employees each day. The program was started in 2006 to reduce the number of vehicles travelling to and parking on the South San Francisco campus. Since then, it has had a significant impact on the company's sustainability goals and employee quality of life.

The gRide program includes a range of mobility services such as GenenBus, transit connector buses, rideshare, Genentech ferries, vanpools, carpools, public transit reimbursements, and incentives for employees who bike or walk to work. The program covers nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

GenenBus, one of the more distinguished mobility options of the gRide program, is a coach shuttle service that operates across all counties in the Bay Area. Prior to the pandemic, GenenBus transported around 2,500 employees daily. The service is known for its comfortable buses, which are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing commuters to make the most of their travel time.

In addition to providing a convenient and comfortable commute for employees, the gRide program has also contributed significantly to Genentech's sustainability efforts. The program has helped reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from employee commuting, contributing to a 27% reduction in CO2 emissions between 2009 and 2011. As of 2024, the program has saved 100 million driving miles since its inception.

Genentech's commitment to sustainability extends beyond the gRide program. The company is also a member of the Climate Group's EV100 initiative, which aims to transition fleets to electric vehicles by 2030. Genentech is working towards converting its Genenbus coaches and sales vehicles to electric or plug-in hybrids, with over a third of the Genenbus fleet already electric.

The Glen Park BART bus is free for all

Genentech offers a variety of transportation services for its commuters, including commuter buses, ferries, vanpools, and more. While most of these services are exclusive to Genentech employees, the Glen Park BART bus is an exception—it is free for all.

The Glen Park BART bus is free and accessible to anyone, regardless of their affiliation with Genentech. This means that individuals who are not Genentech employees can also take advantage of this shuttle service. The shuttle service is partially funded by the county and is available as a courtesy to all.

The Glen Park BART bus provides convenient transportation to and from the Glen Park BART terminal and various sites around Oyster Point. This service is particularly beneficial for commuters working in the Oyster Point area, offering a seamless door-to-door commute experience. The buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, enhancing the overall travel convenience for passengers.

To access the Glen Park BART bus schedule and routes, individuals can visit the TripShot website. By using the password "transportation," users can gain access to the schedule and route details. The bus runs every 15 minutes during peak hours, providing efficient transportation for commuters.

Overall, the Glen Park BART bus service offered by Genentech is a valuable resource for commuters in the Oyster Point area. By making this service free and accessible to all, Genentech contributes to addressing regional traffic congestion and promoting employee well-being. This inclusive approach to transportation benefits both Genentech employees and the wider community.

Genentech offers free service to/from Caltrain, BART and Public Ferry for commuters in Oyster Point

Genentech offers a free commute service to/from Caltrain, BART, and the Public Ferry for commuters working in Oyster Point. This service is provided in partnership with Oyster Point Mobility (OPM) and is funded by a consortium of life science property owners in Oyster Point, including Genentech. The service aims to address the challenges of regional traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance employee well-being.

The OPM service provides convenient connections to different transportation options for commuters travelling to and from Oyster Point. The Glen Park BART Transit Connector, for example, connects commuters from the Glen Park BART terminal to various sites in Oyster Point. It runs every 15 minutes during peak hours (6 AM-10 AM and 3 PM-7 PM) and offers hourly service during off-peak hours (10:30 AM-3 PM).

Similarly, the Millbrae Caltrain service connects commuters from the Millbrae Caltrain terminal to businesses in Oyster Point. Caltrain serves the Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley, even reaching as far south as Gilroy. The SF Bay Ferry, another option in the OPM service, provides picturesque travel to and from area marinas, including South San Francisco. The ferry service is a great choice for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the bay while commuting.

To access the schedules and routes of the Genentech buses and the OPM service, commuters can visit the public TripShot website. By using the password "transportation", commuters can view the different routes available, including the Glen Park and Millbrae routes. It's important to note that only the Glen Park BART, Millbrae Caltrain, and Ferry Connector routes are currently accessible to Oyster Point tenants.

In addition to the OPM service, Genentech offers other transportation benefits to its employees. These include commuter buses, ferries, vanpools, transit reimbursement, and incentives for biking, walking, or carpooling. Genentech prioritises the well-being of its employees and is committed to providing a sustainable work environment.

Genentech's electric bus program is a big part of the company's sustainability goals

Genentech, a biotechnology company, is dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop life-changing medicines for people worldwide. As one of San Francisco's largest employers, the company prioritizes employee satisfaction and talent retention through various initiatives, including a focus on sustainability. Genentech's electric bus program, gRide, is a pivotal part of its sustainability goals and commitment to environmental responsibility.

Genentech introduced its first battery-electric bus in 2018, with an ambitious target of transitioning 80-100% of its bus fleet from diesel to electric by 2025. This initiative aligns with the company's aggressive goals to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality. As of 2020, over a third of their GenenBus fleet, which serves thousands of employees daily, is already electric. These electric buses are powered by batteries and offer modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and electric power outlets.

The company's transportation team, led by Lyndel Fusello, is committed to getting people out of their cars to reduce traffic congestion and improve employee well-being and productivity during their daily commutes. The electric buses provide an environmentally clean and quiet mode of transportation, contributing to Genentech's sustainability goals. The team has a well-defined electrification roadmap, and the necessary infrastructure is in place to accommodate the transition to a fully electric fleet.

Genentech's electric bus program also extends beyond their own employees. Through their Bus Share Program, they partner with smaller nearby companies, offering sustainable transportation options to their employees as well. Additionally, Genentech has been providing shuttle services to BART & Caltrain stations for over two decades, and these services are available free of charge to employees of other companies in the business district.

The company's sustainable transportation initiatives have not gone unnoticed. In 2013, Genentech received the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Merit Award for Outstanding Commute Program, and they were recognized as an innovator among peer companies and public agencies. Furthermore, their commitment to sustainability extends beyond their electric bus program. Genentech has pledged to contribute at least $250 million to specific projects designed to address community needs in South San Francisco, including initiatives to minimize congestion during rush hour.

Genentech's gRide program includes incentives for employees who bike/walk to work

Genentech's gRide program offers a variety of transportation options to its employees. The program was introduced to reduce the number of vehicles travelling to and parking on the South San Francisco campus, with a view to improving sustainability and employee quality of life. The program includes incentives for employees who walk or bike to work, such as full reimbursement for any employee commute transportation expense. Genentech also offers wellness resources, including health and fitness apps, to encourage total body well-being.

Genentech's gRide program has been a success, with over 40% of employees participating daily. The program has also been recognised by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, awarding it the Merit Award for Outstanding Commute Program. The company has also been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune Magazine for 15 consecutive years.

Genentech's gRide program includes a range of mobility services such as GenenBus, transit connector buses, rideshare, Genentech ferries, vanpools, carpools, and public transit reimbursements. The bus program alone includes a fleet of more than 55 biodiesel motorcoaches and shuttles, providing over 1 million individual employee trips per year. The program also offers commuter buses, ferries, and vanpools, in addition to transit reimbursement and incentives for biking, walking, or carpooling.

Genentech's gRide program has been designed to be comfortable and cost-saving for employees. The buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing employees to work or relax during their commute. The program has also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from employee commuting, contributing to a 27% reduction in CO2 emissions between 2009 and 2011.

Genentech's gRide program is an example of the company's commitment to sustainability and employee satisfaction. The program has been well-received by employees, who appreciate the convenience and environmental benefits it offers. The program is also in line with Genentech's participation in the Climate Group's EV100 initiative, which aims to transition fleets to electric vehicles by 2030. Genentech is on track to meet this goal, with over a third of its GenenBus fleet already electric.

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