Skip to main content

Caltrain Go Passes extended for employees and ‘by request’ for Pilot Go Pass

By Stanford Transportation

Stanford-issued Caltrain Go Passes will be extended through Dec. 31, 2021, for eligible university and hospital employees.

For graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, the Pilot Go Pass will be deactivated automatically on March 31. If you continue to need your pass beyond March 31, you must use the Pilot Go Pass Reactivation Form to request an extension through Dec. 31.

This means that university employees, SLAC employees, hospital employees, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars who currently have a Go Pass, or are eligible for one, can continue to enjoy free, unlimited travel on Caltrain in 2021 under these conditions:

  • All Go Pass users must remain active at Stanford and continue to meet the eligibility requirements to request and retain their Go Pass.
  • Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars must also request an extension if they wish to continue to use the Pilot Go Pass beyond March 31 when all Pilot Go Passes are scheduled to be deactivated automatically. Requesting a Pilot Go Pass extension will ensure passes that continue to be needed beyond March 31 will be reactivated automatically.

University and hospital employees: no action required

No action is required if you are a university (including SLAC) or hospital employee who currently has a Stanford-issued Caltrain Go Pass on your Clipper card. The extension for 2021 will be applied automatically. If you have a Caltrain Go Pass, it is now valid through Dec. 31, 2021.

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars: action required for your Go Pass to remain active

To maintain an active Go Pass after March 31, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars must complete the Pilot Go Pass Reactivation Form by Friday, March 12. Please only request the pass if you are using your Go Pass or anticipate using it soon.

What you need to know

  • Your current Go Pass will remain active ONLY if you complete this Pilot Go Pass Reactivation Form, until Dec. 31, 2021, as long as you remain active at Stanford and continue to meet all eligibility requirements.
  • If you use your Go Pass between now and March 31, you will see the following message when tagging on: “Travel OK / Pass Used / OK to Mar 31.” Please note that if you complete the Pilot Go Pass Reactivation Form, your Go Pass will automatically renew beyond the date shown and will be valid through Dec. 31.
  • If you switch affiliations, the Go Pass on your Clipper card will be deactivated even if you continue to be eligible (e.g., postdoctoral scholar to employee). It is your responsibility to request a new pass, since we do not have an automated way to identify such a change.
  • If you need a Go Pass later this year, don’t worry. You can request your free, 2021 Pilot Go Pass at any time as long as you meet eligibility requirements. All new passes issued since Jan. 1 will remain active through Dec. 31. Please request a Go Pass when you need it by using our Transit Pass Request Form.

Please only request a Go Pass if you need it

We ask that you request a Go Pass only if you need it. Our ability to continue the Pilot Go Pass distribution for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in 2021 is based on the availability of passes from Stanford’s order for university employees.

As further explanation, our new agreement with Caltrain begins on April 1. In light of low ridership due to the pandemic, Caltrain is authorizing Stanford to issue Go Passes to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, at no additional cost, through 2021, from the supply of Go Passes we purchase for all eligible employees. This is a significant savings for the university, but depends on the availability of a sufficient number of passes. As such, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars must opt in to the 2021 Pilot Go Pass program under the terms of the new agreement.

Transit safety during COVID-19

We are offering information and providing commute assistance as a courtesy for those who may need this information. Stanford commuters are encouraged to assess and select the transportation option(s) that best meet their needs.

If you plan to ride Caltrain, please refer to the agency’s website for COVID-19 safety precautions. If you connect with Stanford’s free Marguerite shuttle, please refer to our Marguerite Safety Updates: COVID-19 page for safety precautions and requirements. If you combine biking with transit, you may be interested in our Bicycle Resources During COVID-19 page.

Additional resources