I visit Rancho Cucamonga every year or so to visit family, and since I do not own a vehicle (it's pointless in New York City), I sometimes take public transportation to get to major transit centers. As many people have mentioned, public transportation in Southern California is a joke that's been ongoing since the extensive streetcar system was dismantled back in the fifties. Believe it or not, the LA area had one of the most comprehensive transportation systems in the country up until post WWII. Pretty sad really.
As the area has become more densely populated and as freeways have clogged up throughout the Southland, many different agencies were formed to serve the needs of the public. Omnitrans is one of these entities, and it provides bus service though out the San Bernardino area. Most of the routes are along major streets such as Foothill Blvd., and link different suburbs together and connect at transit centers to other agencies (such as LACMTA). Unfortunately, since these agencies are not run by the same people or by the same county, you usually have to pay different fares. So a trip to Downtown LA may run you two or three different fares as opposed to just one.
What is good about Omnitrans? It is cheap. Only $1.50 from the last time I rode, which is a dollar cheaper than back home in NYC. Most of the buses are fairly clean and new, and the drivers are friendly and helpful. It is also convenient if you live along a major line, since almost all the lines terminate at a transit center or a major stop (colleges, downtown areas). For example, if you live in Rancho Cucamonga or Upland and go to school at Chaffey College, it would be very convenient since a couple of lines run straight there.
Otherwise, be prepared to research and walk/bike if you want to get anywhere else. If you need to get to the LA area, you are better off taking the Metrolink and transferring to the Los Angeles Metro. Also, as I mentioned previously, if you need to get anywhere that is off the major roads, you will probably need to walk quite a bit to get where you are going. The lines are fairly limited, and only run every thirty minutes at best, every hour at worst.
It's not the best transit system, but not the worst either. You can get by on it, but it's still light years away from being a good transportation provider. read more