Oct 21, 2026 By Joseph Malcolm -

Bulldog Express helps students navigate campus parking challenges

FRESNO, Calif. – Finding a convenient parking spot at Fresno State can be a challenge, especially for students trying to get to class on time. But Fresno State Parking and Transportation say the issue isn’t necessarily a shortage of parking spaces. It’s where those spaces are located. That’s where The Bulldog Express comes in.

The Bulldog Express, a free campus shuttle service, is helping bridge that gap by connecting students to parking lots and residential areas surrounding the university.

Fresno State Parking and Transportation Manager Derek Brantley said the university has hundreds of available parking spaces even during its busiest periods, but many are located on the east side of campus near the Save Mart Center.

“I hear all the time there’s not enough parking,” Brantley said. “We have a ton of unused parking every day. Now, I fully acknowledge that it’s not necessarily where we all want it to be.”

According to Brantley, even on the busiest days of the semester, approximately 500 parking spaces can remain empty, primarily on the east side of campus.

For students attending classes on the opposite side of campus, those spaces can mean a lengthy walk, especially during Fresno’s hot weather.

Bulldog Express provides an alternative to walking

The Bulldog Express aims to make those distant parking spaces more accessible by providing transportation between the Save Mart Center, Campus Pointe and other locations surrounding Fresno State.

The shuttle operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students and university employees can ride by swiping their Fresno State identification cards when boarding.

Buses are scheduled to arrive at designated stops approximately every 15 minutes.

Brantley said the service was designed around three primary goals: safety, parking and connectivity.

Rather than searching for parking near the center of campus, students can park in the Save Mart Center lot and take the shuttle closer to their classes. A valid student parking permit is still required to park in that lot.

The shuttle also serves students living in nearby apartment complexes who may not have access to a vehicle.

Fresno State student shares her experience

Fresno State Liberal Studies Student Gabriela Guzman

Gabriela Guzman, a Fresno State liberal studies student who lives at the Palazzo apartments near Campus Pointe, said the Bulldog Express makes traveling to campus more convenient.

Guzman doesn’t currently own a car and said the university’s restrictions on motorized scooters have made the shuttle another useful transportation option.

“The Bulldog Express, it’s really helpful,” Guzman said. “Especially when it’s hot or when it’s in the future when it starts raining. You don’t have to worry about the weather. You just get on the bus and get to class.”

Guzman said having a shuttle stop directly outside her apartment complex makes the service particularly convenient.

She also recommends the shuttle to students who park near the Save Mart Center because it provides transportation toward the North and South gyms.

However, she said the service isn’t always faster than walking.

“Sometimes I do wait for it a little early, so maybe 15 to 20 minutes depending,” Guzman said. “I’ve come walking and I’ve actually beat the bus here.”

She said traffic near the campus roundabout can sometimes delay the shuttle.

You also need to consider that the drivers will occasionally go on break. I waited 15 minutes to take the shuttle the other day, just for the driver to tell me upon arrival that they would be taking a break now. So there is a risk factor to waiting on the shuttle meaning, plan for some time ahead.

Bulldog Express ridership continues to grow

The Bulldog Express returned to Fresno State in November 2025 after several years without service.

Brantley said the university previously operated a shuttle system from approximately 2016 until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Funding challenges prevented the program from returning immediately afterward.

Since its relaunch, ridership has increased as more students have learned about the service.

Brantley said the shuttle averaged approximately 600 riders per day during September.

In April 2026, the service recorded 2,684 rides. By the time of Brantley’s September interview, the system had already recorded more than 4,190 rides that month.

Although the university implemented new restrictions on motorized scooters and similar devices, Brantley said it is difficult to determine whether those changes are responsible for increased ridership.

Instead, he attributes much of the growth to increased awareness among students.

Could Fresno State expand the shuttle system?

As more students begin using the Bulldog Express, questions remain about whether the university could add stops or expand its service.

Brantley said Fresno State is evaluating possible improvements, but campus infrastructure presents challenges.

Many of the university’s internal roads are not designed to accommodate large buses alongside pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Adding more stops could also increase travel times and make the service less convenient for current riders.

“What we have to remember is that more stops means more waiting,” Brantley said.

The university began a yearlong transportation demand management study in July 2026 to evaluate its parking and transportation infrastructure, including possible changes to the Bulldog Express route.

For now, Brantley encourages students to take advantage of available parking on the east side of campus and use the shuttle to reach their destinations.

Students can also scan QR codes posted at shuttle stops to track buses and check their locations.

While the Bulldog Express may not eliminate every parking frustration or always be faster than walking, it offers students another way to navigate Fresno State’s campus.

For students willing to park farther away, the shuttle could make getting to class a little easier.

Learn more about the Bulldog Express

Students can find additional information about campus transportation through the following Fresno State resources:

For more stories about campus transportation, student life and issues affecting the Fresno State community, visit the Fresno State Focus website and follow us on social media for the latest updates.