Visit our Parking Enforcement Continues on Martin Luther King Jr. Day article for details on parking enforcement and Marguerite and transit service.
If you are thinking about resuming your commute to Stanford’s main campus or Stanford Redwood City, we want to provide resources to help you prepare.
In addition to the information we are providing, our team is available to answer questions and provide assistance by email, Zoom, and phone: 650.736.9923.
Please note that Stanford Transportation programs, services, and eligibility requirements are subject to change and the dynamic situation surrounding COVID-19 may not allow much, if any, advanced notice of changes.
Your commute options are likely to be determined by several factors, including the timing of your return to campus, transit operations and schedules, individual levels of comfort, and assessment of the time, cost, perceived safety, and access to different modes.
While we are providing general information to help you consider your options, your commute is your personal choice. Stanford commuters are encouraged to assess and select the option(s) that best meet their needs.
For updates about Stanford Transportation programs and services, you can visit our COVID-19: Featured Topics page. We have also created a Program and Service Changes: COVID-19 page to outline the current status of our operations. For guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding transportation, please visit the CDC website.
If you would like assistance on planning your commute, please contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923 or schedule a one-on-one commute consultation.
To support campus health and safety and more effectively manage external visitors, as of Monday, Nov. 2, parking enforcement on Stanford’s main campus has been extended to include nights and weekends. All vehicles are required to have an active permit to park on the main campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Stanford affiliates can continue to park after hours at no additional charge, either with an existing permit or by registering their vehicle for a Courtesy ‘After-Hours’ permit.
We have developed resources to help you as Stanford transitions to 24/7 enforcement:
Bikes can be a healthy option for commuting, providing exercise, stress relief, and cost savings. Refer to our Bicycle FAQ for Returning to Campus and our Bicycle Resources During COVID-19 page to help you get ready for a bike commute and learn about best practices for bike safety.
The Campus Bike Shop at Tresidder Union has resumed full operations including rentals, sales, and repairs to provide services to the Stanford community.
Lastly, Commute.org has set up a Bicycle to Work Rewards Program to encourage bicycle commuting and those who live or work in San Mateo County can receive up to $100 when they log their bicycle commutes. Visit Commute.org's Bicycle to Work Rewards Program website for full program details and to join.
If you decide to carpool or vanpool, please create as much physical distance as possible between other passengers and drivers, to the extent possible, and wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the virus.
If you are a driver of the vehicle, please wipe down all frequently touched surfaces with at least a 60 percent alcohol-based disinfectant wipe after sharing a ride and follow best practices for ventilation. Visit our carpooling or vanpooling tips to learn more about these and other ways to protect yourself and others.
Stanford carpools
While parking permit requirements resumed at Stanford's main campus and Stanford Redwood City as of Wednesday, July 1, we are unable to offer the Carpool permit program at this time.
Free or reduced-cost permits and reserved carpool spaces are not available, but you may informally share the cost of commuter permits and expenses. To do this, one person purchases the permit and the carpool partner(s) split the cost of the permit and related commuting costs among themselves and not through the system.
Scoop carpool app
Stanford's Scoop subsidy ended on Dec. 29, 2020. While the carpooling app remains available, the Stanford subsidy is no longer offered for financial and other reasons.
Stanford vanpools
While we are continuing existing vanpools currently, we are weighing whether we will be able to continue the 100% vanpool subsidy for new vanpools during COVID-19. Until that decision is made, we are unable to offer the vanpool subsidy to new groups.
Vanpool vehicles for existing vanpool groups may be parked in any 'A,' 'C,' or 'Z' commuter space 24/7. If any member of an existing vanpool drives to campus in their personal vehicle, they will need to purchase or register for a parking permit to park. Personal vehicles are not associated with vanpool permits.
For directions on how to purchase a daily permit, visit our How to Purchase a Daily Parking Permit guide.
Refer to our Parking Permit Reinstatement: Updates for Carpools and Vanpools page for additional information.
If you choose to take public transit for your commute, please take a look at some tips that we’ve created to help protect yourself and others and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Free transit passes, including Caltrain’s Go Pass, VTA’s SmartPass, AC Transit’s EasyPass, and SamTrans’ monthly pass continue to be valid for eligible commuters. If you have a Clipper card with a Stanford-issued Go Pass that was active in March 2020, but has not been used since, don't worry. The Go Pass is still active and no action is required beyond tagging on and off for each ride.
Please refer to our Public Transit Service Changes: COVID-19 page for a table summarizing public transit service changes, fare payment requirements, and safety protocols in response to COVID-19.
You can also visit our COVID-19: Updates on Public transit and pre-tax transit purchases page for more information.
Employees may continue purchase transit passes and transit parking using pre-tax dollars through the Edenred Commuter Benefits program. Using pre-tax dollars can help you save up to 40 percent. You will need to log into the Pre-Tax Transit Portal to place your order. Please note that these purchases are non-refundable, so it is important to monitor and manage your orders. For more information please refer to our Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction page.
At this time, the Marguerite shuttle service has implemented a number of steps to protect the health and well-being of everyone on board, including face covering requirements, passenger limits, restricted boarding, entering and exiting through the rear door, standard best practices for ventilation, and notices to remind riders of physical distancing guidelines.
For information regarding Marguerite service changes made since April 1 and available alternatives, please refer to our Marguerite Service Changes: COVID-19 page.
If you would like assistance on planning your commute, our team is available for one-on-one commute consultations via Zoom to help you assess your options. Please sign up for a 15-minute consultation by using this registration link. We're also always available to help at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.
Our COVID-19: Featured Topics page is being updated regularly with new information and frequently asked questions regarding our programs and services.
Please refer to our Zipcar at Stanford page for information about the self-service, on-demand car sharing program available on the main campus and at Stanford Redwood City.
Zipcar has enhanced its cleaning protocols and products. For additional updates, visit Zipcar's COVID-19 updates webpage.
The on-campus branch is temporarily closed and rentals will be handled by Enterprise's Redwood City location at 345 El Camino Real, which offers curbside services.
Stanford's discounted rates for students, faculty, and staff still apply at the Redwood City location. Customers can call them directly at 650.366.9200 or visit Enterprise’s reservation page to make a reservation.
