With the new year in full swing, here are things you need to know about Stanford’s free transit passes.
Stanford ID is required on Caltrain
As of Jan. 1, 2022, Caltrain requires all Go Pass users to present their employer-issued identification (ID) to conductors in conjunction with a valid Go Pass. Stanford Go Pass users who do not present a Stanford ID while using their Go Pass to ride Caltrain will be subject to citation.
Stanford IDs include the commuter’s photo, name, and university or hospital affiliation. Caltrain uses employer IDs to confirm that the person using the Go Pass is an eligible participant in the program.
University faculty and staff may show their mobile ID rather than their physical ID. To access the mobile ID, open the Stanford Mobile app in your Apple or Android device and click “Me” on the bottom right corner.
Under Caltrain's terms, Go Pass users may not sell or transfer the Go Pass to any other person. Allowing the use of the Go Pass by anyone other than the eligible participant may result in pass revocation and citation.
Transit passes automatically renewed for 2022
Free transit passes have the potential to provide thousands of dollars a year in savings for those who choose to ride transit. Stanford University, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children’s Health continue to offer free transit passes to eligible commuters for 2022.
- If you have valid Stanford-issued transit passes, they renewed automatically. As long as you already have passes on your Clipper card and remain eligible, no action was required.
- To check the status of your transit pass(es), please use our Transit Pass Eligibility and Status Checker.
Which transit passes are available?
- Free transit passes are available on Clipper cards for eligible commuters.
- Eligibility is based on criteria specific to each pass.
- For benefits-eligible, off-campus employees, free transit passes include the Caltrain Go Pass, VTA SmartPass, or AC Transit EasyPass as long as they meet eligibility requirements.
- Commuting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are eligible for the Pilot Go Pass if they meet eligibility requirements.
- These passes allow eligible users to travel for free on any regularly scheduled train or bus service for the entire calendar year and are not limited to commuting.
- These passes remain active for 2022 and renew automatically for eligible Stanford commuters.
- Eligible graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will continue to have access to the Caltrain Pilot Go Pass program in 2022.
- Eligible Stanford Redwood City commuters will continue to have access to 2022 SamTrans monthly passes if they use the pass to commute.
To check the status of your transit pass(es), please use our Transit Pass Eligibility and Status Checker. If you don’t currently have a Caltrain Go Pass, VTA SmartPass, or AC Transit EasyPass on your Clipper card and are eligible, you can request the pass(es) by filling out our Transit Pass Request Form.
Tips to avoid citations on Caltrain
Caltrain strictly enforces its policies. Caltrain riders without a valid fare will be issued an administrative citation of $75 for fare evasion. To avoid a citation, follow these tips:
- Be prepared to show your Stanford ID in addition to your Go Pass as proof of payment and as confirmation of your eligibility to participate in the program.
- Tag on and off for every ride. Tagging can be done with your Go Pass on your Clipper card or using a Clipper app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Follow our tips for using transit passes on Clipper cards: “Five Tips for Using Your Clipper Card”
Additional information for Caltrain riders
Caltrain invites riders to provide feedback about Caltrain and their service. They also are offering 100 hours of free bike eLocker credit.
If you have questions or need more information about Stanford-issued transit passes or commuting, please contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.
If you have questions or need assistance with your commute, contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.