Families of incarcerated people in California are now receiving free transportation services to attend in-person visits.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has formed a partnership with TransMetro to provide transportation to all adult corrections facilities.
They provide free transportation for families and loved ones of the incarcerated persons housed within CDCR’s 34 institutions.
“Our goal is to provide regularly scheduled transportation services to family members of the incarcerated persons serving sentences at designated CDCR institutions. We do this at no cost to the incarcerated person or the family member,” CDCR reported.
Buses will depart Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays from four California regions: Central California, Southern California, Northern California, and the Bay Area. Each region schedules service to all institutions on a rotating basis. All trips are subject to change and based on demand and health and safety factors.
Central California pickup areas will include Riverside, Pasadena and Lancaster. Southern region pickups include San Diego, Long Beach and Bakersfield. Northern region pickups include Redding, Chico, Sacramento and Stockton. Bay Area pickups include Richmond, Oakland, San Leandro and San Jose.
Riders are allowed to pack meals and snacks for the ride, and water will be provided by TransMetro. Buses will stop at a restaurant along the route for dinner, so riders who want to buy food should bring cash. Up to five approved visitors per incarcerated person are permitted to ride the bus at one time. Minors must be accompanied by an adult who is an approved visitor of the person the minor is visiting. Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited.
Trips with travel time that exceed 24 hours will require lodging. Riders will be responsible for the cost of lodging. TransMetro will designate a hotel for overnight lodging and will attempt to secure a discounted rate for riders.
Register for services at cdcr@transmetro.org up to three weeks before the planned visit or call (415) 259-4746 Monday-Friday from 9AM to 5PM. Project Coordinator is Yolanda C. (se habla español). Mailing address is 295 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco CA 94103.
