[Published: December 13, 2023]

Stanford may have lost to Cal on November 18, but the day was a win for Stanford Transportation when it was featured by the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band (LSJUMB). It all started when the LSJUMB drum section approached us for loaner items for their transportation-themed halftime show. The self-billed World's Largest Rock and Roll Band previously used transpo-signage as instruments, and of course, there’s the serendipitous connection between drummer Marguerite DeMarco ‘25, and Stanford’s shuttle system (more on that in “Meet Marguerite” sidebar).

 

Meet Marguerite!

When it came time to pick this year’s big game halftime theme, it wasn’t surprising Marguerite DeMarco’s shuttle namesake was an inspiration. Fresh from the delivery room 21 years ago, her father, Dominic DeMarco, Economics ‘92, MBA ‘96, called his undergraduate roommate. He’d just had a daughter, he excitedly shared, and her name was Marguerite. The roommate burst out laughing. Taken aback, Dominic asked why he was laughing. This was his newborn child after all. "You named your daughter after the Stanford bus?" asked the roomate with a chuckle.

“My dad hadn’t even made the connection,” said Marguerite with a laugh, adding her parents named her after her beloved great aunt, Marguerite, who is a nun.

Young Marguerite DeMarco and her siblings visit campus. Note her namesake shuttle in the background.
Young Marguerite DeMarco, right, and her siblings, Josephine and Dominic, visit campus. Note her namesake shuttle in the background.

She soon discovered the moniker came with perks. “Whenever I visited campus as a kid, I always made us ride the Marguerite, even if we didn’t have to–just because I liked that it shared my name,” said Marguerite. “I could never find souvenir key chains with the name ‘Marguerite,’ but there was this whole bus system that shared my name.”

Last year, a whopping 449K miles out of 508K were driven utilizing 100% electric Marguerite Shuttles.
Last year, a whopping 449K miles out of 508K were driven utilizing 100% electric Marguerite Shuttles.
Drum section leaders dressed as their transit agency of choice, riffing on NYC’s historical Miss Subway pageants. From left: Simon Valencia ‘26, L.A. Metro; Chloe Chang ‘25, San Francisco Muni; Marguerite DeMarco ‘25, Marguerite; and Hugo Budd ‘24, Amtrak.
Drum section leaders dressed as their transit agency of choice, riffing on NYC’s historical Miss Subway pageants. From left: Simon Valencia ‘26,  L.A. Metro; Chloe Chang ‘25, San Francisco Muni; Marguerite DeMarco ‘25,  Marguerite; and Hugo Budd ‘24, Amtrak.

 

Joined by several members of the Cardinal Women’s Basketball team, the drum section attached Marg signs to harnesses and wore them as armor-like breast plates. Costumes and instruments were embellished with traffic signal hats, STOP sign epaulets and traffic cones. Shuttle route signs were taped with “Take the Axe!” and “Beat CAL” slogans.
Joined by members of the Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team, the drum section attached Marg signs to harnesses and wore them as armor-like breast plates. Costumes and instruments were embellished with traffic signal  hats, STOP sign epaulets and traffic cones. Shuttle route signs were taped with “Take the Axe!”  and “Beat Cal” slogans.

 

What does the Marguerite Shuttle Mean to you?

“I’m a civil engineer studying renewable power infrastructure so having Stanford’s massive electric bus system around is inspiring,” said co-section leader Hugo Budd, referring to Marguerite shuttles, which help move about 6,250 people per day. Of the 49 buses in the 19-route system, 41 are electric.

Hugo’s co-section leader Marguerite’s appreciation skews more to the practical. “My first two years, I lived on the opposite side of campus from the band shack. Taking the shuttle from my dorm across campus was so convenient. The timing was ideal; the last shuttle arrived just in time for band rehearsal. It was a lot warmer than walking,” she said with a laugh.

 

Friends love the reinstated Shopping Express

When asked if she appreciates the reinstated Shopping Express route, Marguerite shared that, although she’s not a frequent rider, she has many friends who ride it almost every weekend. “ When I shared that I was doing this interview they said, ‘Oh my gosh! Tell them how much we love the Shopping Express.’”

Thanks to Marguerite’s friends and other frequent riders, the Shopping Express has become a fan favorite. We’re grateful to the Provost’s office for approving funding to extend the service through 2024.