If you have questions about other SRWC transportation programs, please visit our SRWC FAQ main page for links to additional topics, such as shuttles and biking.

1. I live on campus and will be commuting to SRWC. Am I eligible for the Caltrain Go Pass? (Added 5/24/19)

   Yes, if you are a benefits-eligible employee, you are eligible for the Caltrain Go Pass once you are commuting to Stanford Redwood City. To request a Go Pass if you live on campus, please email commuteclub@stanford.edu. If the ZIP Code restriction does not apply to you and you are currently eligible, please complete our Go Pass on Clipper request form.

2. Will SamTrans be available to SRWC employees? (Updated 10/23/19)

   Eligible SRWC employees can request a free SamTrans pass. If you would like to request your SamTrans pass, please visit our Request a SamTrans Pass webpage. The pass allows riders unlimited travel on buses that serve San Mateo County, including service to Caltrain's Redwood City station. Please refer to our transit map to see which SamTrans routes serves the SRWC campus. For SamTrans information, visit www.samtrans.com.

3. Will there be more in person chances to address transportation concerns? (Added on 1/29/19)

   Yes, we are planning some in person and online commute events, where SRWC employees can ask questions and learn more - and hopefully connect with fellow commuters to form or join carpools and vanpools. Please let us know if you are interested through our email at commuteclub@stanford.edu, so we can be sure your department hears about all of these opportunities.

4. How many Zipcars will be available? (Updated 10/23/19)

   There are two Zipcars at SRWC: one on Warrington Avenue and one across Broadway from SRWC in the parking lot east of the Stanford University Press building (500 Broadway) [map]. 

5. Unless I board Caltrain from San Francisco or San Jose, it’s very difficult to find a seat. Is Caltrain planning to increase service to accommodate more riders?

   Caltrain is aware of the need to increase capacity, and the electrification of Caltrain is part of their effort to improve the performance, efficiency, capacity, safety and reliability of Caltrain’s service. In the interim, Caltrain’s ability to expand capacity or increase service is limited. Although we are not aware of plans to increase Caltrain service in conjunction with the opening of SRWC, Stanford Transportation works closely with Caltrain through our Go Pass and Marguerite shuttle programs, so we will be sure to keep SRWC commuters informed of changes.

   Additionally, Caltrain regularly assesses and adjusts their service, so please feel free to submit comments and suggestions directly to Caltrain either now or after we move to SRWC if you have improvements you would like them to consider. Caltrain takes customer feedback into consideration as they adjust their service.

6. What kind of parking and transportation programs are available at Stanford Redwood City?

   A summary chart of the approved parking and transportation programs available to eligible commuters at Stanford may be viewed on the Parking and Commute Programs page.

7. Are express buses or shuttles from the East Bay or South Bay available to SRWC employees?

   The university recognizes that some employees commute to Stanford using express buses. Currently, public express bus service does not exist from the East Bay or South Bay to Redwood City.

   To operate a cost-effective commuter shuttle service, we need large populations traveling the same route on the same schedule. Based on the number of employees moving to SRWC and employee residential data, potential ridership is insufficient to justify a commuter express shuttle service from the East Bay and South Bay at this time.

   As an alternative, we encourage employees to consider carpools and vanpools. Both carpools and vanpools enjoy free preferred parking. Eligible commuters will be able to enroll in Stanford’s free vanpool program, and carpools provide scheduling flexibility. To set up a carpool/vanpool in your area, please visit the Stanford Transportation website for information on carpools and vanpools and consult with Stanford Transportation by emailing us at commuteclub@stanford.edu.

   Stanford Transportation will continue to assess demand for programs that support reducing single occupancy vehicle trips for Stanford Redwood City. As the SRWC population grows, we will continue to evaluate the demand for shuttles and monitor the growth of carpools and vanpools from the same area. As carpools and vanpools grow, this may indicate sufficient ridership for an express shuttle service.

   University leadership is encouraging managers to work with their employees to identify other options to alleviate commute challenges, including flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting or registering to work from an alternative worksite in Newark.

8. What services will be offered to bicycle commuters?

   The Stanford Redwood City campus will feature on-site amenities to facilitate bike commuting, including the following:

   • Free bike safety repair station
   • Discounted bike helmets
   • Showers and changing area at the onsite fitness center
   • On-site mobile bike repair service and skills clinic
   • Free bike racks, and for a small fee, access to secured bike cages on a first-come, first-served basis
   • Bike registration (required for bikes that will be on campus regularly) for a small fee
   • Policies and guidance to establish department bike share programs
9. What road work is being done to improve bicycle safety on Broadway?

   There are a number of construction projects that will impact Redwood City bike routes and SRWC access. New construction along Broadway and utilities work on Middlefield will likely have the biggest impacts on SRWC bike access over the next few years. Stanford will collaborate with the City on interim and long-term solutions.

   To introduce suggested bike routes to bicyclists, Stanford Transportation will also be hosting group rides as new buildings are occupied. We recommend that cyclists refer to these links for updates on projects that may impact bike conditions and bike access to the site.

   • Redwood City Development Projects
   • Redwood City Infrastructure Projects
10. Will Stanford work with Caltrain and others to improve our transportation options?

    In order to support our academic mission, Stanford University is taking a leadership role on regional transportation projects that benefit not only the institution but also the region as a whole. We participate in regional planning efforts to identify and implement ways to improve mobility, and we are active in a number of local and regional non-profit, business, and community organizations. We frequently participate in public agency meetings around the Bay Area, which help us stay informed on key planning efforts before decisions are made.

    In addition, in April 2018, Stanford University entered into an agreement with Caltrain to assist in the development of the Caltrain Business Plan. Under this agreement, Stanford's Land, Building & Real Estate (LBRE) group will contribute in-kind technical assistance to support the Business Plan. The Caltrain Business Plan will allow the railway to identify a service model that supports long-term regional job and population growth and surging ridership demand. The final plan will include specific targets for service and capacity growth that will describe how Caltrain should grow to meet market demand.

11. What support will be provided to employees who need to rethink their commutes?

    We developed resources to assist SRWC employees in planning their new commutes. These resources include sample commute plans, a sample commute video and customized commute planning assistance. You are also welcome to use the do-it-yourself commute planning tool and type in “505 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063” as the destination.