Media post: Getting Around Alameda: What are Your Transport Options?
When visiting or moving to Alameda, California, one of the things you must consider is the means of transportation available to you. This is especially important considering the costs of gas in this state.
Whether you plan to take alternative means of transport to avoid the costs of gasoline, car insurance, and general vehicle upkeep – or simply don’t plan on driving in general, let’s take a look at the different Alameda transportation options.
- Walking
This may not be your idea of a mode of transportation. However, walking is, in fact, considered a type of transportation as it can get you from point A to point B. Apart from offering transportation, walking is a great form of exercise and can be a great way to clear your head and get some fresh air.
But what makes walking a reliable mode of transportation in Alameda? Alameda is a highly walkable city thanks to its flat land, heavy use of sidewalks on most roads, and the city’s commitment to creating a safe and walkable city. And with generally being a safe city, walking isn’t a bad mode of transportation in Alameda.
All in all, when looking for homes for sale in Alameda, CA, learning that walking is one of the recommended types of transportation options can actually be an influencing factor in your decision. Not every city is considered walkable, and many cities are actually deemed unsafe to walk in at all.
- Biking
Thanks to flat terrain, the presence of well-maintained bike lanes, the city’s promotion of bicycling, and a dedication to ensuring the city is safe for bicyclists, biking is a popular and ideal option when traveling around Alameda. Again, like walking, it can be an excellent form of exercise, offer mental health benefits, and allow you to breathe in some fresh air.
The city offers various trails and paths that are well-suited for those on bikes. These include the Bay Trail, the Cross Alameda Trail (CAT), the Bay Farm Island Loop Trail, the Shoreline Trail, among others.
Other aspects that make Alameda, CA a very bikeable city include its generally ideal weather all year round, its lower speed limits on many streets, its occasional use of protected bike lanes that separate bikers from regular traffic via a divider, and the wide availability of bike racks, especially in its downtown area.
- Carpooling
When walking or riding a bike won’t suffice as a mode of transportation, carpooling is another option that might be more suitable, especially for longer routes or when there’s a need to get to your destination quicker.
There are different carpooling options to pick from in Alameda. These include casual carpooling, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s 511 program to help you find carpool or vanpool options, as well as third-party ridesharing apps that offer carpooling like UberPOOL or Lyft Line.
- Rideshare and Taxis
When you’d rather not share a car with other riders, especially those whom you’ve never seen before, rideshares are always an option.
Like in most cities, Lyft and Uber are some of the most common apps to turn to for ridesharing, offering various services from standard rides to rides with extra comfort or room for more passengers. Taxis are another option through Alameda Cab and Wanna Cab.
For those on a budget, rideshare services are subsidized in Alameda for those who are 18 or older with a certain disability, as well as for those aged 70 and up. Low-income individuals enrolled in East Bay Paratransit can also qualify for cheaper Uber or Lyft rides through the city’s 2-1-1 Transportation Services.
If you don’t qualify for the latter benefits, using carpool services on rideshare apps can help save you money. So, that’s an option to reconsider, even if it’s not ideal.
- Ferry
Alameda, CA has three ferry terminals. Each of the terminals links to San Francisco and takes roughly 20 minutes.
The Main Street Alameda Ferry Terminal at the northern shore of Alameda Island operates daily. It offers transportation to Oakland’s Jack London Square and the San Francisco Ferry Building.
Located on the west end of Alameda Island is the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal, which operates weekdays to Downtown San Francisco.
Last but not least is the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal on Bay Farm Island, which provides transportation to the San Francisco Ferry Building. This terminal only operates on weekdays like Seaplane Lagoon.
- Water Shuttle
The free water shuttle service in Alameda provides a link between Oakland’s Jack London Square and Alameda’s Alameda Landing. Services run 12 hours a day from Wednesday through Sunday. Each ride takes only about 10 minutes.
What is more, Alameda’s water shuttle is wheelchair accessible, can hold up to 31 passengers, and can accommodate up to 14 bikes on bike racks.
- Buses and Shuttles
AC Transit is Alameda’s local bus system, offering a variety of services, schedules, and drop-off and pick-up locations.
Transit options include both single- and double-decker buses, buses with space for passengers using a mobility device, and buses with late-night schedules. Some of Alameda’s buses offer luxury options like Wi-Fi, reclining seats, and panoramic views of the city.
If a free business shuttle is what you need, Alameda has that, too. This includes the Harbor Bay Business Park Shuttle that connects to the Coliseum BART Station in Oakland – and the Alameda Landing Shuttle that runs from the Alameda Landing shopping center to the 12th Street BART station in Oakland.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is another transportation option near Alameda. Alameda itself doesn’t offer a BART station; however, there are three stations nearby in Oakland on Fruitvale, 12th Street, and Lake Merritt.
Conclusion
When living or touring in the Alameda, CA area, you don’t necessarily have to rely on owning your own vehicle. While the convenience and self-reliance of having your own car can be useful, with other types of transportation available in this city, it’s not so bad getting to where you need to be. From carpooling to taking a water shuttle, there are many transportation types to pick.
