From Commute Stress to Caltrain Savings
“I tried the train once and that day I went straight to Parking & Transportation Services and joined the Commute Club.”
Pinky Medina’s sustainable commute is all about savings. Whether it’s time, money, or stress, Pinky finds that her daily Marguerite + Train commute is quite the deal!
Inspired by Traffic Armageddon
Pinky, who has worked at the School of Engineering for two years and commutes from San Jose, originally drove alone to and from her office each day.
"I decided to take the plunge and try a sustainable commute in 2016 when I learned that traffic from Super Bowl 50 was promising to clog the roads," Medina says. "It was love at first commute!"
Pinky’s manager had encouraged her to try the Marguerite + Train journey and provided her with tips and tricks before her first ride, including where to sit on the Caltrain and which Marguerite line to take.
Now, Pinky’s commute is second nature. It’s just part of her routine.
Just Chillin'
Pinky relaxes while she’s on the train, listening to music, scrolling through social media, and even online shopping.
"It’s my way of warming up in the morning and winding down in the evening," she says.
For Pinky, this is a sharp contrast with her drive alone commute, which she says was “the worst way to start and end my day” due to the stress of traffic and the general unpredictability of driving conditions.
Can't Beat the Savings
Pinky is also happy to be saving money. She uses her Caltrain Go Pass, which provides unlimited free rides on the Caltrain, and takes the free Marguerite shuttle each day. Pinky uses pre-tax dollars to pay for Caltrain parking.
"On top of all of these savings, Commute Club membership gives me up to $300 per year in Clean Air Cash," she says. "Plus, I'm such a fan of Commute Club that I've made three referrals and received a total of $150 in Refer-A-Friend rewards!"
Healthy Steps for Even More Incentives
An added benefit? Pinky’s commute helps her get an extra 2,000 steps in per day, which is not only great for her health, but also helps her earn BeWell financial incentives.
“I have told numerous new Stanford employees about the Caltrain before they even started working here. I told them, ‘Save your money!’ I know that I have – and I've gained so much more.”
We Can Help
- Request commute planning assistance to explore your sustainable commuting options.
- Check out our commute resources to help you get started with videos and sample commute plans.
- Join the Commute Club to take advantage of incentives, including Clean Air Cash, free vanpools and carpool permits, and free driving credit.