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train arriving at Palo Alto Transit Center

Transit

Limited parking enforcement, Marguerite and transit service on Monday, July 4th

Visit our Limited Parking Enforcement, Marguerite and Transit Service on July 4th article for details on parking enforcement, Marguerite and transit service.

COVID-19: Public transit and pre-tax transit purchases updates

[Published: March 31, 2020; Updated July 9, 2021]

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published guidance on how you can protect yourself and others to slow the spread of COVID-19 when using transportation, including public transit. 

We have also created a graphical representation of some of those tips for easy reference. 

Please refer to our Public Transit Service Changes: COVID-19 page for a table summarizing public transit service changes related to COVID-19. For other COVID-19-related updates for the Stanford community, visit healthalerts.stanford.edu.

The following are links to COVID-19 information centers for Bay Area transit agencies, which include information about their service modifications, cleaning procedures, and more:

  • ACE
  • AC Transit
  • BART
  • Caltrain
  • SamTrans
  • SFMTA/Muni
  • VTA

If you would like updates about other Stanford Transportation programs and services, please visit our featured topics page. We have also created a Program and Service Changes: COVID-19 page to outline the current status of our operations.

Top five questions


Are my free transit passes still valid? (July 6, 2021)  

University-provided Caltrain Go Passes, VTA SmartPasses, and AC Transit EasyPasses remain valid. Current pass holders, or those eligible, can continue to enjoy free, unlimited travel on Caltrain, VTA, and/or AC Transit. To check if your pass(es) are still valid, check our transit pass eligibility and status checker.

To request a Go Pass, SmartPass, and/or EasyPass, visit our Transit Pass Request Form.

There have been a number of updates to the programs and services we offer as a result of COVID-19. Visit our Program and Service Changes: COVID-19 page for the latest updates on our operations.


Are face coverings required on Marguerite shuttles or public transit services? (June 9, 2021) 

Yes. CDC's guidelines require that passengers and employees wear a mask when on public transit and in transportation hubs.

Our Marguerite Safety Updates: COVID-19 page includes the steps we have taken to protect the health and well-being of Marguerite passengers and drivers in response to COVID-19.


What are my options to reduce my out of pocket costs for transit that Stanford doesn't cover? (June 9, 2021) 

To help reduce your out of pocket costs for transit fares, you may add transit fares, Clipper Cash, high value BART tickets, Caltrain parking, and Muni passes to your Clipper card using pre-tax dollars through the payroll deduction program. Through our pre-tax payroll deduction program you can purchase up to $270 per month in transit expenses before tax dollars. To learn more, visit our Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction page.

If you are interested in enrolling, please visit the Edenred Portal.  


What is the Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan? (June 9, 2021) 

For public transit safety at a regional level, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is coordinating an effort to provide safe and equitable transit through the Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan. The plan identifies consistent health and safety standards that Bay Area transit agencies have committed to implement as the Bay Area emerges from shelter-in-place orders.


What are some tips to protect yourself and others for essential trips on public transit? (June 9, 2021) 

 

Tips for taking public transit

Other questions we've heard


Is VTA collecting fares at this time? What about passenger limits and schedule adjustments? (Sept. 13, 2021) 

Light rail service will be free to customers through September 30. As of July 5, VTA announced the end of social distancing requirements while riding transit. Masks continue to be required.

VTA has expanded light rail service to include the entire Blue Line, from Baypointe to Santa Teresa. Service will continue on the Green Line from Old Ironsides to Diridon Station. The Orange Line has begun full operation from Alum Rock to Mountain View. Light rail service will be free to customers through September 30. 

With the commencement of the Blue Line, the bus bridge will cease operations. See the updated light rail service map here

Please call 408.321.2300 or email customer.service@vta.org with questions and assistance with alternative VTA services. The TransitApp is also an option for real-time bus information.

Visit VTA's COVID-19 Information Center for the latest updates.


Has Caltrain made any service adjustments or changes to its cleaning procedures? (July 6, 2021) 

Caltrain anticipates that it will restore Baby Bullet and zone express service in fall 2021 to help riders during peak-hour trips.

Caltrain's schedule was adjusted on March 22 to maintain BART connections at the Millbrae Transit Center, increase weekday service from 68 to 70 trains, improve weekday schedule reliability, and meet weekend ridership demand at Tamien Station.

Caltrain cleans and sanitizes its fleet and stations daily using hospital-grade disinfectant products. Station touchpoints are wiped down multiple times each day and cleaning crews use spray foggers on trains overnight and midday at the San Francisco Station.


What changes has BART implemented? What are BART's service hours? (July 2, 2021) 

Starting Aug. 2, 2021, BART will expand its weekday service hours to 5 a.m. - 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. for Saturday service. The hours for Sunday service will continue to be  8 a.m. - 9 p.m. 

Visit BART's page of updates related to the coronavirus for the latest information.


Is Line U operating currently? What are the latest updates on AC Transit service? (June 21, 2021) 

Yes, Line U is currently in service service. Please note that Line U is free for those with a valid university ID card, hospital ID badge, or SLAC ID badge.

As of June 21, AC Transit bus capacity limits and social distancing restrictions are lifted. Face masks are still required on transit.

AC Transit began offering free facemasks and hand sanitizer for passengers as part of the agency's reNEW Plan on Sept. 15. As of August 9, the agency started its multi-phase reopening to restore service to 75% of pre-pandemic levels.

Visit AC Transit's COVID-19 Information Center for the latest updates.


What are the latest updates on Muni service? (June 16, 2021) 

As of June 15, Muni no longer requires physical distancing between customers. Masks are still required and customer must maintain a six-foot distance from operators.

In August 2021, pending the relaxation of pandemic protocols and physical distancing restrictions, SFMTA is expecting to bring back more than a dozen bus routes that were temporarily suspended.

For route-specific details on all Muni lines that are currently in service, please refer to the COVID-19 Muni Core Service Plan.


What changes has SamTrans implemented? Are fares being collected? (June 2, 2021) 

As of June 20, SamTrans will adjust schedules on several of its routes, including Route 286 and 280.

Fares are being collected with protective barriers that allow customers to pay their fare while avoiding contact with bus operators. 

With the resumption of fare payment and front-door boarding, customers are encouraged to use contactless payment methods like Clipper or the SamTrans Mobile app. Exact fare is required for cash payment as change cards are no longer issued onboard.


Have there been changes to the shuttles connecting Stanford Redwood City with the Redwood City Caltrain Station? (March 26, 2021) 

Caltrain's schedule was adjusted on March 22 to maintain BART connections at the Millbrae Transit Center, increase weekday service from 68 to 70 trains, improve weekday schedule reliability, and meet weekend ridership demand at Tamien Station.

Line RWC and Commute.org's Redwood City-Midpoint Caltrain shuttle were adjusted to sync with Caltrain’s new departure and arrival times at the Redwood City Transit Center.


I have read that financial challenges may affect the future of Caltrain's service. What is happening?  (Dec. 11, 2020)

Some Stanford commuters have expressed concern about whether or not Caltrain will continue to operate given the financial challenges caused by ridership decreases due to COVID-19. We have developed a Caltrain Updates: COVID-19 page to help provide context about Caltrain’s current situation and the passage of Measure RR, the eighth-cent sales tax measure that will provide the agency with a dedicated funding source.


How do I cancel my pre-tax transit purchase(s)? (June 26, 2020)

Cancellation requests for pre-tax commuter purchases must be made in the Pre-Tax Transit Portal by the 9th of the month for the next month's order to be cancelled. For example, you would have to cancel your order by July 9th to stop an order for August. Please note that it is too late to request a cancellation for July orders and that pre-tax purchases are non-refundable and non-reimbursable based on federal tax law. Visit Edenred's COVID-19 Policies and Updates page for more information.


Has the Dumbarton Express changed any of its schedules or routes? (June 9, 2020)  

The Dumbarton Express announced that, effective June 14, the DB and DB1 will be adjusting their schedules in response to COVID-19.

Effective June 1, the westbound DB departing Union City BART at 1:40 p.m. and the eastbound DB departing Deer Creek Road at 2:40 p.m. have been canceled.

Visit Dumbarton Express' Service Alerts for updates.

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  • Free Transit and Commuter Benefits
    • Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction
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    • About the Caltrain Go Pass
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    • Request Your Go Pass
    • If Your Clipper Card is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
    • Pilot Go Pass (Grad Students & Postdocs)
  • Transit Updates and Apps

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