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The Green Line

Camp Butler Logo
Forward Deployed. Forward Engaged.
Click on a CAMP NAME to view detailed bus schedules
(Camp to Camp, Internal ShuttleS) and bus stop locations.

What's 

Due to the MCAS Futenma Flight Line Festival on Saturday (Oct. 4) and Sunday (Oct. 5), rote #6 buses will not stop at Futenma after 10:15 AM. We will make stops as usual starting October 6th. Thank you for your understanding.

ATTENTION CUSTOMERS

Kindly be informed that there have been route changes to The Green Line Late Night Express. We would appreciate any feedback or comments you may wish to provide.

  • 2025 HOLIDAY SCHEDULES
Mission Statement

The Green Line is provided by Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. Our goal is to provide Safe, Dependable, Reliable ground transportation for persons traveling aboard or between Marine Corps installations for official duties while offering space available travel to qualified persons. This initiative affords many savings for the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense.

1. The Green Line is a scheduled-activity bus service funded with appropriated funds (APF).

2. Because The Green Line buses operate using APF, the buses are used for official purposes only, supporting the national defense mission by operating within and between Marine Corps facilities and areas in Okinawa, Japan. In this sense, The Green Line operates as a "shuttle bus" service for transporting:
a. Enlisted personnel between bachelor billeting and work areas (M-F, 0730-1630).
b. Military personnel (all ranks) and civilian employees between offices and work areas during normal duty hours (M-F, 0730-1630).

3. Military dependents may ride The Green Line buses on a space-available basis at no additional cost to the government.

4. The Green Line buses cannot be used solely to facilitate liberty or other unofficial (i.e., personal business or convenience) purposes.

5. The Green Line buses cannot be used for military family housing "home-to-duty" transportation.

Authorized Passengers

Authorized passengers are those entitled persons (military, family members, and civilian employees) and their bona fide guest per Marine Corps Order on Motor Transport Branch, the Government of Japan/United States of America Mutual Defense Treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States of America and the Government of Japan. The unauthorized use of TGL is prohibited and violators will be reported to Military and or Japanese Police for adjudication. Bona fide guests are defined as:
(1) those "guests" sponsored by a member of the United States Forces Japan with privileges offered under the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan.
(2) Whose residence is physically located outside the Country of Japan.
(3) Who have entered Japan legally in a temporary visitor's status.

Base Visitors Pass does not constitute "Bona Fide Guest Status."


 
Passenger Identification

All passengers are required to possess and present proper valid identification upon entering the bus and any other time, while still on the bus, as requested. Proper forms of identification are:

  • Valid Military Identification Card (i.e. Active Duty, Reserve, Retired Military, Military Family member).

  • Base Employee Pass for MLC Employees or IHA Employees traveling on Official Business.

  • DoD Employees of Government Contract Identification Card.


 
Passenger Seating

Active duty military members have priority. Seating is First-Come, First-Serve.

No passengers will be required to relinquish their seats if outside the camp of origin.

Example: If a passenger (non active duty) boards a TGL bus at foster traveling to Camp Schwab and during the intermittent stop at Camp Hansen the bus is overloaded, the seated passengers from Camp Foster have no obligation to relinquish their seat.

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

Pick-ups and Drop-offs are authorized at designated bus stops located within military bases only.

LIABILITY

MCB Motor Transport Branch/The Green Line accepts no responsibility for passenger conduct, misconduct, personal injury, or loss/damage of property. Travel is not guaranteed and passengers are responsible for their actions and belongings.

TYPHOON OPERATIONS

Okinawa is subject to torrential rains, tornados, water spouts, tsunamis and typhoons.

Okinawa is subject to various forms of destructive weather; the most commonly occurring are typhoons. However, water spouts and tornados are possible as well. TGL will operate routes and services as dictated by safety. TGL will post warning signs in buses at TCCOR-2.

AFN Radio 89.1 FM (The Wave) provides continuous reporting of weather conditions related to Okinawa.

CURRENT TCCOR

TCCOR SCOPE OF OPERATIONS
4,3,2 Normal Operations
1 TGL Shutdown will be 3-hours after the setting of TCCOR-1
1C ALL SERVICES SUSPENDED
1E ALL SERVICES SUSPENDED Notice: you are responsible for your travel. If you elect to travel during TCCOR-1 be advised that sudden changes could leave you stranded.
1R No service during this condition of readiness. TGL Destructive Cell is reactivated at Foster. ALL SERVICES SUSPENDED DURING TCCOR 1R.
SW TGL will return to regular service as quickly as possible upon the setting of TCCOR-SW/AC. If TCCOR-SW/AC is set with less than 8-hours remaining in TGL's normally prescribed schedule, TGL will resume normal operations the following day.
AC Normal Operations

*Rain makes driving extremely hazardous as roads become slippery. TGL drivers will exercise extreme caution during wet road conditions. This may in turn affect arrival and departure time.

Expand List item 8245Collapse List item 8245  Q: Can my guest ride The Green Line?

A: Only Bona fide Guest are authorized to ride aboard TGL buses provided they have proper passes for Base access and completed a approved by the MTB Fleet Manager. MCB MTB Bona fide Guests are defined as:

(1) Those "guest" sponsored by a member of the United States Forces Japan with privileges offered under the Status Of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan. (2) Whose residence is physically located outside the country of Japan. (3) Those who have entered Japan Legally in a temporary visitor's status. Base visitor's pass does not constitute "Bona Fide Guest Status."

Authorized passengers are those entitled persons (military, family members, civilian employees and their Bona fide guests) allotted per Marine Corps Order on Motor Transport Branch, the Government of Japan/United States of America Mutual Defense Treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and the Government of Japan. The unauthorized use of TGL is prohibited and violators will be reported to Military and/or Japanese Police for adjudication.

Expand List item 8246Collapse List item 8246  Q: Can TGL Group Travel be used to move units deploying or returning from deployment?

A: TGL buses are not normally used for service outside their fixed schedules. MCB Camp Smedly D. Butler provides passenger bus service via MCB AC/S G-4, Motor Transport Branch for unit training and deployments. TGL Group Travel accommodates units traveling between Marine Camps on Okinawa along established routes. MTB Fleet Manager may deploy large buses during known low travel times in accordance with authorizing transportation of weapons or equipment. Adjusted with a case by case modification of the pick up and drop off points.

Expand List item 8247Collapse List item 8247  Q: Who do I contact if Personal/Government items are left aboard the bus?
A: Items found abandoned aboard buses are relinquished to Military Police Central, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan.
Expand List item 8248Collapse List item 8248  Q: Why doesn't The Green Line operate longer on weekdays and earlier on weekends and holidays?
A: TGL's operating periods have been carefully designed through a specific process focused on meeting mission requirements, available resources, employee work standards, route travel time and federal and Marine Corps regulations governing driver fatigue / driving time. The commanding General of MCB Camp Smedly D. Butler is the final approving authority for TGL's hours of operations.
Expand List item 8249Collapse List item 8249  Q: Why doesn't The Green Line provide a route to Okuma?
A: The Green Line was designed to provide safe and reliable transportation for Marines who are restricted from vehicle operation/ownership and travel between U.S. Military installations. Authority for operating TGL is contained in the MCO P11240.106B and DoD Inst. 4500.35-1R. The Armed Forces Joint Recreation Center at Okuma is outside the bounds of regulatory allowance.
Expand List item 8250Collapse List item 8250  Q: Why doesn't The Green Line service Kadena Air Force Base?
A: The Green Line was designed to provide safe and reliable transportation for Marines traveling between U.S. Military installations. The secondary objective was to reduce the number of government vehicles the number of government vehicles operating in support of passengers traveling between the designated locations. The Green Line operates at 100% of its resources and is unable to expand without additional contracting. Currently TGL has numerous requests from Camp Commanders for additional services creating an impossible environment for expanding service. The Marine Corps maintains a small operational presence on Kadena Air Base, through which transportation requirements have been satisfied through simple measures of promoting economical and efficient use of MCB's resources.
Expand List item 8251Collapse List item 8251  Q: Why is eating and drinking prohibited on The Green Line?
A: The Green Line operations require resources (buses) to be operated continuously throughout the work period for weeks at a time. This high operational tempo amplified by the lack of designated cleaning crews could result in unsanitary/unhealthy if not managed through a strict no food/beverage policy.
Expand List item 8252Collapse List item 8252  Q: Why is tobacco use restricted?
A: Department of Defense and Marine Corps directives restrict tobacco use in GOV Vehicles.
Expand List item 8243Collapse List item 8243  

Q: Can I charter buses from The Green Line for tours, battle sites or family days?

A: TGL buses are not normally used for service outside of their fixed schedules. MCB Camp Smedly D. Butler provides passenger bus service through several different venues for units and group functions. Marine Corp Community Service (MCCS) Simper If Bus Line provides contract service while MCB AC/SO G-4, Motor Transport Branch Fleet Manager provides USMC buses on occasion when meeting requirements of MCO P11240.106B, while the Regional Contracting Office may assist you on charter/contracting off base buses.

Expand List item 8244Collapse List item 8244  Q: Can I carry items on the bus? If so are there any restrictions?  

A: Driver permission is required. Passengers may carry bags, packages, or other personal items as long as it does not jeopardize safety, interfere with other passengers or damage the bus. It is against the law to carry very large or dangerous items, (flammables, propellants, large batteries, all forms of ordnance and weapons), on any bus. Items must be carried on your lap or be stowed under your seat while upon TGL. Golf bags, surfboards, and bicycles are not permitted on The Green Line. Backpacks and book bags must be held in front of your body so they do not affect others as you move about the bus. Small animals (except for Service Animals) are not authorized.
*During heightened FP Con, NO bags and packages will be allowed

 


Read our stories "The Green Line" celebrates 15th Anniversary of service on Okinawa on 
dvids (Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System) "The Green Line" - Marines' Okinawa bus line fetes 15 years in business on JAPAN UPDATE

Marine Corps Base Camp Butler