Caltrain lowers fares for youth starting Sept. 1

The Caltrain Board of Directors voted to reduce fares for youth riders at their monthly Board Meeting beginning Sept. 1

An All Zone One-Way $1 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. 

“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.” 

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.  

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.