Transportation

Probably one of the most unique things about Davis is its transportation network. Legions of bikes and a fleet of double-decker buses are its signature features. Davis Trans has additional information about transportation in Davis.

On campus, TAPS regulates both bicycle and motor vehicles. It is best to follow a simple rule: the shortest distance between any two points in Davis isn't a straight line — it's a bike.

Bikes

Davis is well-known for its fleet of bicycles and corresponding infrastructure. Everywhere in Davis is accessible by a bike lane or path, including several tunnels and bridges that span under/over roadways. Various intersections, the most prominent being Russell and Sycamore, even sport a green/red light specifically for bicycles. The bike system culminates at campus which is closed to general auto traffic. Bicycle circles and lanes dominate the campus streets which become flooded with pedaling traffic between classes. Visitors are usually amazed at the sheer number and volume of bikes. See Bicycling for further information.

Davis Community Transit

Davis Community Transit is a paratransit bus that serves residents of Davis who have a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as well as general public (when time and space permit). Davis Community Transit is a curb-to-curb (they'll pick you up and drop you off) transportation service provided by the City of Davis. You must register with Davis Community Transit in order to use this service. Reservations are required and fares are $1.25 for each one-way trip. Davis Community Transit serves Davis only.

Motor Vehicles

If you are driving a motor vehicle, you get to deal with parking. It is best to park someplace and then walk. Even better, if you have a bicycle, it would be easier to use it to get around the downtown and campus area than having to find a parking space and/or having to pay to park. Be careful of time limitations. Some people discover that they can go Car-free in Davis.


The coolest motor vehicle in Davis has to be RoboChair but unfortunately it is not street legal, however one of these days we hope to get it capable to go 25mph, yes that would be an armchair going by at 25mph!

Zipcar became available in Davis in 2009 and is a car sharing service.

Inline skating

Many students skate to class on campus.

Taxicab

Davis has a few small taxicab companies which include: A Taxi, Checker Cab Company, College Cab, Davis Cab, Friendly Cab, University Cab, and Village Cab.

Fare rates are deregulated in Davis, so different cab companies may have different rates. Some of the cab companies have multiple rates.

Some UCD students may use the Tipsy Taxi during restricted times and for restricted uses.


There is also the possibility of taking a rickshaw if you're in the right area.

Unitrans Bus system

Another novel aspect of Davis transportation is the bus system, Unitrans, which runs several London-esque double-decker buses that operate on natural gas engines.

Walking

Some say everything in Davis is within walking distance (but they would be severely mistaken).

[see also Travel Agencies]
[see also Transit Destinations for which train, bus, etc. to take, for your destination]

Air

For commercial flights, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the nearest major airport. Oakland International Airport (OAK), about 75 miles, is the next closest airport. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a major international travel hub and one of the busiest airports in the US, is 85 miles away. San Jose International Airport (SJO) is about 105 miles away. Regional airports include the Yolo County Airport (2Q3) and the UC Davis University Airport (KEDU). See Airports for more information.

Davis Airporter davisairporter.com provides on-demand shuttle service to and from Sacramento International Airport and San Francisco airport. Contact Davis Airporter at (530)756-6715 or (800)565-5153.

Bicycles

Amtrak has bicycle racks on all of its Capitol Corridor trains. The line connects Davis to the BART system, which also allows bikes on its trains (except during select peak hours). All Yolobuses are equipped with bike racks which are pretty simple to use. You can also bike to San Francisco, Sacramento, Winters, Dixon, Woodland, Vacaville, and Vallejo. See Bicycle Rides for further information.

Car

If traveling by car, I-80 West leads to the Bay Area and ends at the junction with U.S. Highway 101 in San Francisco. I-80 East heads toward Sacramento and ends at the junction with Interstate 95 in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Highway 113 leads North to Woodland where it connects to northbound I-5. I-5 is about 12.5 miles east of Davis. Heading south, it goes through the Central Valley, leading to LA, San Diego, and the Mexican border. Heading North, it goes through Redding, Portland, Seattle, and terminates at the Canadian border. To reach I-5 heading North, take Highway 113 North to Woodland. To reach I-5 South, take I-80 and then US 50 to Sacramento.

Note that cars are listed under "Getting Out of Town", as bicycles are usually faster than cars on Davis streets. See Driving in Davis.

Carpool

Carpooling helps folks out with rides and you meet interesting people. Find or post a carpool on the Wiki Ride Board. University affiliates can use AlterNetRides with their university login, others can access it without id.

Regional Buses

Yolobus is a countywide bus system serving Solano County, Yolo County, and Sacramento. Greyhound does NOT serve Davis, though I've heard conflicting reports that they do drop people off here occasionally.

Taxicab

A taxicab is a door-to-door automotive delivery service. "Taxicab" basically means a vehicle with a taximeter, a device for charging according to time and distance.

As taxicabs generally cost more than other forms of transportation or public transportation, to save money one might consider using a taxi to connect with them. Often taxicabs do not charge more for additional passengers, so the cost per passenger will decrease as the number of passengers increases.

It's a good idea to ask for a price quote or "flat rate" or perhaps an estimated taxi meter rate.

Davis and Sacramento taxicab rates are both deregulated, so rates vary by company.

Comment: I counted approximately 100 Sacramento taxicabs in the Yellow Pages. I recently took a Sacramento taxi to Davis, cost: $50. I later learned it would have been much cheaper if I'd taken a Davis taxi instead. (Where's DavisWiki when ya need it?!) Sacramento also has ElectriCab, the nation's only(?) electric cab service.

• College Cab
  

• Davis Cab
  

• Checker Cab Company
  

• Village Cab

Train

Amtrak has three routes that run through Davis. The Capitol Corridor travels as far east as Auburn and as far south as San Jose. This train runs 16 times/day each way between Sacramento and Oakland, Mon.-Fri. The line makes the Bay Area accessible from Davis by connecting to the BART System in Richmond and at the Oakland Coliseum. The California Zephyr also passes through Davis, going all the way to Chicago. The Coast Starlight line runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. The latter two trains operate once a day each way, and require advance reservations. To catch a train you'll want to go to the train station.

UCDMC Shuttle

The UCDMC Shuttle runs between the UCD campus and the UC Davis Medical Center. It is open to UCD affiliates, but not to the general public. A one-way ride costs only $1.

Davis Berkeley Shuttle

The Davis Berkeley Shuttle operated by TAPS runs twice daily on weekdays between the UCD campus and UC Berkeley. Only UCD affiliates may ride. You must reserve a seat ahead of time on their website if you plan to go home on a Friday - it's always packed, oftentimes for more than a week or two in advance! The ticket you actually buy is not date specific. A one-way ticket costs $8.00, and can be purchased singly or in bulk from the TAPS office or the Freeborn ticket office, using cash or check. Although tickets are not sold on the bus, it often possible to purchase a spare ticket from some other rider.

Fairfield/Suisun Transit

For those who do not wish to pay the Capitol Corridor prices, but are not able to ride the Berkeley shuttle, Fairfield/Suisun Transit offers some solutions. Route 30 connects Sacramento and Davis with Fairfield and Route 90 connects Fairfield with the "El Cerrito Del Norte" BART station. As of 7/11/08, fares from Sacramento and Davis to the BART station are $10.50 and $9.50, respectively. You may pay the full amount when you first board the bus and you will receive a transfer. There are also monthly and 10-ride passes available. Bicycles are allowed on Route 30, but NOT on route 90. Bicyclists may choose to take route 30 to Vacaville (or arrive in Vacaville by other means, such as Yolobus). In Vacaville you can catch Route 40 (also Fairfield Suisun Transit) which will take you to the Pleasant Hill and the Walnut Creek BART stations. Please be aware that each bus can only accommodate 2 bikes in the front rack. The bike policy and fare structure are printed on all of the route schedules.