Free Community Shuttle Coming to Mountain View

News from the City of Mountain View:

The City of Mountain View and Google have partnered to provide a free community shuttle service for people to get around the city for routine tasks like shopping, doctor’s appointments, going to the movies and visiting local parks. 

The Mountain View community shuttle service will begin as a two-year pilot program, and is expected to roll out this fall, starting with four electric, community shuttles fitted with bicycle racks running daily. 

Both the City and Google have been looking at programs to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and promote alternative transit options. 

In response, Google’s Transportation Manager, Kevin Mathy, approached the City with the community shuttle concept late last year. “We’re thrilled to be working with the City of Mountain View to provide neighbors a new – and green – way to get around town,” said Mathy.

While the details are still being finalized, the shuttle service is expected to run up to four, 16-seat, ADA compliant electric shuttles from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, about every 30 minutes. On weekends and holidays, one shuttle will run approximately every hour from noon until 8:00 p.m. 

“This service isn’t intended for commuting to work or school. It’s really about picking up a prescription, heading to the park, going downtown for lunch and catching an early matinee. 

It’s intended to make the things we love about Mountain View more accessible to the people who live and work here without putting more cars on the road to do it,” said Mayor Chris Clark.

Google and City staff are working with the VTA to connect with existing transit routes and reaching out to residents to establish an ideal, community-friendly circuit that will help move people to areas around the City where there are limited transportation options.  

There will also be an outreach meeting on August 12 where members of the public will have the opportunity to give input on the route and the project. 

“The community shuttle is only possible through a generous contribution from Google to fulfill a long-desired community goal to have a shuttle for residents and to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips in Mountain View,” said City Manager Dan Rich.