The Caltrain Go Pass program allows companies, educational institutions and residential complexes ("Participants") to purchase annual unlimited-ride passes for all eligible employees, residents or students ("Users"). A Go Pass sticker is affixed to an approved identification badge and the user presents it on the train as proof of payment.
The Go Pass is good for travel on Caltrain between all zones, seven days a week, for one low annual cost per user. The Go Pass is not available for purchase by individuals and does not cover parking at Caltrain stations or travel on other transit systems. The Go Pass is valid for a calendar year and expires on Dec. 31 each year.
Cost
The Go Pass program is open to Participants of any size. Participants pay an annual fee for every eligible User regardless of who will take advantage of the Go Pass benefit. All employees working more than 20 hours per week excluding contractors, consultants, interns and temporary employees are considered Users. Companies have the option to include employees working less than 20 hours per week, interns or both. Residential complex Users include all residents five years and older. If a participant is both business and residential, it may elect to include employees, residents or both. Educational Users include all students per selected group (i.e. graduate, undergraduate, full-time).
The total cost of participating in the 2022 Go Pass program is the greater of $342 per eligible User or $28,728. To determine the cost, multiply the number of eligible Users by $342. If the total is less than $28,728 the participation cost is $28,728. If the total exceeds $28,728, the cost is $342 per eligible user. The cost is pro-rated if the participant joins the program for less than a full year.
Participants may have start date on the 1st or the 15th of the month and we don’t accept new participants after September unless they sign-up for the following year at the same time.
Requirements
To participate in the Go Pass program, Participants sign a written agreement with Caltrain, provide an acceptable photo identification badge where the Participant administrator can affix the Go Pass sticker, and are responsible for tracking and distributing the Go passes. Users are required to fill out an online survey and agree to the terms and conditions of use prior to receiving the Go Pass.
For more information, read the Go Pass FAQs.
Getting Started
If you're interested in offering this great benefit, Caltrain’s B2B staff will work with the designated personnel to answer questions and start the process. For more information, contact the Caltrain B2B staff at 650.508.6292 or b2b@caltrain.com.
Go Pass on Clipper Pilot Program
Starting in January 2019, select companies in the Go Pass program started to use Clipper cards as their proof-of-payment. The goal of this pilot program is to ensure accurate ridership information which will help Caltrain manage the cost of the Go Pass program, and, with its participants, deal with employee and resident separations, and misuse, in a more efficient way and support fare enforcement efforts. The agency will monitor and evaluate the pilot program throughout the year to determine future use of Go Pass on Clipper by the remainder of the participating companies.
All stations have Clipper CIDs (card interface device where you tag on and off), except Stanford Station which opens only during certain Stanford sporting events.
For more information about the pilot program, visit the Go Pass on Clipper page.