The San Francisco - Silicon Valley Commute via Tech Shuttle Bus
What a beautiful and useful map of the tech shuttle routes from San Francisco to Silicon Valley by local design firm Stamen.
Note: While beautiful, this map is getting old! See below for up-to-date info on the Commuter Shuttle Program.
In real estate terms, the impact of these private bus lines shuttling the Bay Area's tech workers from San Francisco to Silicon Valley is multi-faceted:
Building community for those on the bus,
Increasing San Francisco home values along the routes,
And decreasing traffic on the 101 and 280.
And, it must be said, some discontent amongst those neighbors who preferred their sleepy, MUNI-free blocks to remain void of large, luxury vans and buses.
Many Silicon Valley companies offer private buses to help their workers reduce commute stress and increase productivity. For the map, Stamen chose to track the big hitters: Apple, eBay, Electronic Arts, Yahoo, Google, & Facebook. But I know that Genentech's bus is a big draw, too. Just ask my friends and clients from our HGTV House Hunters episode. Living two blocks from their shuttle stop had huge appeal for these San Francisco home buyers!
As a top San Francisco real estate agent, I work with a lot of folks from the tech industry.
It's not unusual for a client to bring me a map of their company's bus stops because living within walking distance is a non-negotiable for their new home.
This is true for listings too. Sellers will highlight the access of their home to the tech shuttle stops whether or not they use them personally.
The Commuter Shuttle Program (Updated 2024)
Since most of you are commuting from the couch these days, it’s probably time we update our info on these tech shuttle buses you used to rely on! Back when we first shared the map of tech shuttle routes in San Francisco, the landscape of commuting was different.
These days, SF’s tech shuttle buses fall under the banner of the Commuter Shuttle Program, which regulates employer-provided shuttles and is overseen by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
Under the program, participating shuttles must follow specific rules, like using designated stops in shared Muni zones or shuttle-only white zones, and pay a fee per stop. It also helps reduce traffic congestion and emissions by cutting down on single-occupancy vehicle trips.
For those of you hopping on a shuttle (or thinking about buying a home near one), the program requires shuttles to have real-time GPS tracking, so no more guessing when your ride will arrive.
Find more details on the SFMTA website, including the:
And a regularly updated map PDF which you can download
The Google Bus (and the rest of the tech shuttles) get press. Some examples:
For the Google Bus and other SF to Silicon Valley tech shuttle buses:
Noe Valley – Neighborhood of Choice for “Non-Suburban” Silicon Valley Professionals SFHotlist, February 21, 2012
Yes, yes, Noe Valley, say eager S.F. home buyers San Francisco Chronicle, February 20, 2012
Find a Private Shuttle Ride from SF to Silicon Valley on this Map
KQED, September 27, 2012Where to catch the Google bus
Per Square Mile, September 26, 2012Silcon Valley's high-tech bus commuter lines visualized
Boing Boing, September 25, 2012Shuttle buses taking over Silicon Valley, awesome visualization shows
VentureBeat, September 24, 2012Mapping Silicon Valley’s Own Private "iWay"
All Things D, September 22, 2012Tech, and art intersect at Zero1 Biennial
SF Gate, September 19, 2012Visualizing the hidden networks of Silicon Valley
New Scientist CultureLab, September 17, 2012With Seeking Silicon Valley, Zero1 Biennial Explores Tech-Fueled Art
Wired, August 28, 2012
