RIDER ALERT
May 24, 2026 Schedule Changes
A schedule change will be effective Sunday, May 24, 2026. See below for a summary of the new changes and to download the
new schedules.
How do flag stops work?
Q. What is the difference between a “timepoint” and “FLAG” stop?
The letters on the map represent major stops (also known as “timepoints”), which correspond to locations on the timetable. Most timepoints are located at a main intersection or popular destination and are meant as reference points to help riders judge what time a bus will be at a particular location. The bus will not depart a timepoint before the listed time.
Stops in between timepoints are called “FLAG” stops. The bus will pass by all FLAG stops daily but will stop only if someone onboard requests the stop or if someone waiting at the stop signals that they would like to board. To estimate the time a bus will arrive at a FLAG stop follow these steps:
- Find your location on the map,
- Find the nearest timepoint,
- If the closest time point is before your stop, the bus will arrive at your stop shortly after the noted time. If it is after your stop, the bus will arrive slightly before that time.
- For instance, if you want to board Route 85 in the southbound direction at the Los Carneros & Karl Storz FLAG stop located between Hollister & Palo Alto (stop Q) and Hollister & Kellogg (stop O), see the red circle below. You can expect the bus to arrive some time between 4:00 PM and 4:18 PM. The bus will not pass the FLAG stop before 4:00 PM.
- You can download the GoVCBus app to track your bus and see when it is due at your stop.
