Marguerite

Stanford’s free Marguerite shuttle serves as a first-mile and last-mile connector for passengers between the Palo Alto Transit Center and various locations/worksites on the Stanford campus. Additionally, Commute.org and Marguerite shuttles connect the Redwood City Transit Center to the Stanford Redwood City campus. The main shuttle lines travel around the campus Monday through Friday (except for university holidays). The Shopping Express route also operates Friday-Sunday, connecting riders to off-campus stores and restaurants. All Marguerite buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with a bike rack. 
 

Learn more about the History of the Marguerite or how to utilize Marguerite Service for Event Parking.

History of the Marguerite

Stanford's history of providing free transportation is as old as the university itself. In the late 1880s, the University was being developed on the farm of its proprietor, the railroad baron Leland Stanford. 

Stanford ran a horse and 12-person buggy service to and from the train station just across El Camino Real. In 1909, the horse and buggy gave way to electric streetcars. That lasted until 1929, when the county ripped out the tracks to make room for widening El Camino. A private bus service took the place of rail, and in 1963 the city of Palo Alto agreed to subsidize it.

In early 1973, following the formation of the Valley Transportation Authority, Stanford began providing a free shuttle service around campus as well as back and forth to the two local train stations and downtown Palo Alto.

The Marguerite shuttle is named for the horse that pulled the carriage of Asa "Uncle John" Andrews as he ferried people from Palo Alto to Stanford. Marguerite was apparently Andrews' favorite. We are told that Andrews either drove for Jasper Paulsen, who owned a livery stable in Palo Alto, or leased space from him.

Initially designed to make coming to Stanford by train more convenient, the Marguerite remains most popular among staff and faculty. The other major riders are students getting from place to place on the spacious campus. All routes on the system are free and open to the public.