Postdoc EasyPass, SmartPass FAQ
-
When will passes become available?
The EasyPass and SmartPass will be available for eligible postdoctoral scholars starting in January 2024.
-
What transportation services can I access?
- SmartPass: The VTA SmartPass allows free, unlimited travel on all VTA local buses and light rail, which provide service in the South Bay from Palo Alto to Milpitas.
- EasyPass: The AC Transit EasyPass allows free, unlimited travel on any of AC Transit’s bus lines serving the East Bay. This includes the Dumbarton Express, which connects the Ardenwood Park and Ride and the Union City BART station to Stanford or Deer Creek Road in Palo Alto (Stanford Research Park and Palo Alto VA Hospital). For a list of all transit services offered by AC Transit organized by city, visit Maps & Schedules.
-
What passes will I be eligible for?
- Postdoctoral scholars who are eligible for the Caltrain Go Pass will also be eligible for the VTA SmartPass.
- The AC Transit EasyPass is available to East Bay residents. Use the EasyPass Zip Code Checker to confirm whether your current home zip code (your local address in Axess) is eligible for the EasyPass.
- Check the current eligibility criteria for each pass on the VTA SmartPass Eligibility page and the AC Transit EasyPass Eligibility page. These pages will be updated later this year to remove postdoctoral scholars from the “ineligible” column and to include postdoctoral scholars who meet the eligibility conditions in the “eligible” column.
- Note that minor changes to eligibility can occur from year to year when contract renewals take place; any changes to eligibility criteria will be communicated on the Stanford Transportation website.
-
Can I have more than one pass at a time on my Clipper card?
Yes, you can have as many passes as you are eligible for on your Clipper card at once.
-
Once the passes become available, how can I request one?
- Postdocs who do not yet have any Stanford-issued transit passes will be able to request all passes for which they are eligible using the Transit Pass Request Form.
- If you already have a Go Pass and would like to add a SmartPass, you will be able to use the Transit Pass Replacement Form to request a new Clipper card that will contain the Go Pass, SmartPass, and, if you are eligible, the EasyPass. That card will be mailed to your home address. The VTA SmartPass cannot be added to a non Stanford-issued Clipper card.
- For those who already have a Go Pass and would like to add just the EasyPass, we will share more information as January approaches about how to do so.
-
Can I get my travel reimbursed until the passes become available?
Travel on AC Transit or VTA before January 2024 is not eligible for reimbursement.
-
What if my status changes, for example from postdoctoral scholar to university employee?
If you accept a new role at Stanford, your transit passes will remain active as long as your 8-digit Stanford ID number remains the same and you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for each pass. If your ID number changes, you will need to request a new pass.
-
Can I request a pass for my family member?
The EasyPass, SmartPass, and Go Pass are limited to Stanford employees and postdoctoral scholars. They may not be transferred to anyone else.