Riders 18 and under ride one-way for $1, $2 day pass starting September 1
The Caltrain Board of Directors voted to reduce fares for youth riders at their monthly Board Meeting.
As of Sunday, September 1, a $1 All Zone One-way youth fare will be available on all fare payment methods, a $2 All Zone Day Pass will be available on Caltrain Mobile (while available) and at Caltrain ticket vending machines. Upon the Clipper Next Generation launch, expected in 2025, a $24 All Zone Monthly pass will be available to anyone with a Youth Clipper Card.
Caltrain launched four fare promotions in September 2023, with the $1 One-way youth fare being the most successful at driving ridership increase. During the promotion, the fare only applied to Clipper users, and Clipper youth ticket sales was up 43% year over year, compared to 18% overall ticket sales increase during that period. People who begin riding public transit in their youth are far more likely to continue to use it as adults, making increasing youth ridership vital for Caltrain in the long term.
“It’s now easier than ever for young riders to take advantage of Caltrain, embracing freedom and flexibility rather than traffic and gridlock,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Now young people can get up and down the peninsula with ease for less than the cost of a boba tea.”
Caltrain seeks to use this fare change to further bolster its ridership. Caltrain’s average weekday ridership (AWR) increased by approximately 19% in June 2024 compared to June 2023 as riders continue to return to the Caltrain system for increased work and leisure travel.
Caltrain has recently announced its Youth Rider Electric Train Contest, in which Caltrain riders 18 and under can submit a video or short essay demonstrating their excitement around the upcoming launch of electrified service. All submissions must be uploaded here by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6.
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi. Looking to the future, Caltrain is set to electrify the corridor by 2024, which will reduce diesel emissions and add more service to more stations while advancing the agency’s equity goals.
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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492