This summer, Bay Area youth can ride transit for free or at discounted rates with special seasonal offers or through evergreen programs that give discounts to youth all year long.
Counties with Free or Reduced Transit for Youth
Alameda County
Some middle schools and high schools participate in the Alameda County Transportation Commission Student Transit Pass Program that provides free transit all year long with the agency that serves their school district – AC Transit, Union City Transit or LAVTA/Wheels. Visit the Alameda CTC website or check with your school for qualifying details.
Contra Costa County
The $30 Contra Costa Summer Youth Pass offers unlimited rides on County Connection, Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT local and express buses from June 1 through August 31, 2024. This discounted price (regularly $60) is offered to riders ages 6 to 18 years old who live, work or attend school in Contra Costa County. Buy the pass online at 511ContraCosta.org.
Marin County
Marin Transit is offering free rides on all regular bus rides throughout the summer. Students must show a valid K-12 school or government-issued ID to the driver when boarding – no Clipper card or transit pass required. Children under age 5 ride free when accompanied by an adult.
Through June 2025, all passengers ages 18 and under can ride free on SMART trains.
Napa County
The Vine Transit Summer Youth Pass includes unlimited rides on all Vine Transit routes (including on-demand in city and town limits) for just $20 from June 16 through August 18, 2024. Must be 18 years old or younger. Buy the dedicated youth pass online at VineTransit.com.
San Francisco County
In San Francisco, riders 18 years and under can ride Muni for free all year long. Rides on all vehicles are free for youth, with no Clipper card or proof of payment required. There is one exception: On cable cars, a Free Muni for Youth Clipper card is required for riders from ages five to 18. Children ages 4 and under always ride free.
Riders age 16 and above are encouraged to carry a student ID or other form of ID for age verification. Muni fares also are waived for students enrolled in the SFUSD’s English Learner and Special Education Services programs through the age of 22.
Caltrain's year-round discount for youth riders features $1 one-way rides (through all zones) for all Clipper Youth card holders.
Additionally, riders age 18 and under can purchase a $40 SamTrans Summer Youth Pass that offers unlimited SamTrans rides, including in parts of San Francisco. Read more details below.
San Mateo County
The SamTrans Summer Youth Pass offers riders 18 years old and younger unlimited SamTrans rides from June through August for just $40. SamTrans serves San Mateo County, as well as parts of Palo Alto and San Francisco. The Summer Youth Pass is available for purchase at Samtrans.com through July 15.
See above for details on the Caltrain program for youth.
Santa Clara County
VTA’s Summer Youth Pass costs $70 and gives unlimited rides to passengers ages 5 to 18 years old on VTA bus and light rail trains all summer long. Not only do you get unlimited transit rides, but some participating eateries also are offering discounts to pass holders. Learn how to buy yours at VTA.org.
Also in Santa Clara County, riders age 18 and under can purchase a $40 SamTrans Summer Youth Pass that offers unlimited SamTrans rides, including in parts of Palo Alto. Read more details above.
The Caltrain youth pass offers $1 rides for Clipper Youth card holders. See above for more details.
Solano County
SolTrans’ pilot program for youth riders gives free rides to all youth ages 6 through 18 on all SolTrans Local Routes and SolanoExpress Lines. No Clipper card or dedicated pass is required. Riders age 16 and above are encouraged to carry a student ID or other form of ID for age verification, if requested. The pilot is scheduled to continue through June 2025.
The Vacaville City Coach Summer Youth Pass includes unlimited fixed-route bus service for riders ages 8 through 18 years old for only $15. Passes can be purchased at Vacaville City Hall, McBride Senior Center, Ulatis Cultural Center and Lucky’s supermarkets.
Sonoma County
Through June 2025, all passengers ages 18 and under can ride free on Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, Petaluma Transit and on SMART trains. Riders may be asked for proof of age. No Clipper card or special transit pass is required for youth rides on Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, Petaluma Transit or SMART trains.
Additionally, college students ride free on Sonoma County Transit. The Subsidized Fare Program for College Students requires that students have a college-issued ID card indicating that they are currently enrolled as a student at a Sonoma County college, including Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, Empire College, or another institution in Sonoma County.
Through June 2025, all passengers ages 18 and under can ride free on SMART trains.
Youth Discounts Year-Round
While some of the programs above offer limited-time discounts, transit riders ages 5-18 can receive discounts on most Bay Area transit agencies by using the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card, Clipper®. Learn how to apply for a Youth Clipper card at ClipperCard.com.
Riders can use a physical Clipper card or use a phone/smart watch by adding their Clipper account to an Apple or Google Wallet.
Transit Agencies with Youth Discounts
| Agency | Discount Details |
|---|---|
| AC Transit | 50% discount for youth (ages 5-18). |
| Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) | Up to a 50% discount for youth (ages 6-12). |
| BART | 50% discount for youth (ages 5-18) with Youth Clipper card. |
| Caltrain | One-way fares (through all zones) are $1 with Youth Clipper card. |
| City Coach |
See details of the summer discount pricing above. During other times of the year, youth fares are discounted. Solano Community College Students can ride the SolanoExpress (only within Solano County) and Vacaville City Coach for free. |
| Dumbarton Express | 50% discount for youth. |
| FAST | $10 off a monthly pass for youth. |
| Golden Gate Transit | 50% discount (or more) for youth (ages 5-18). |
| Golden Gate Ferry | 50% off the adult cash price for youth riders. |
| Marin Transit | 50% off the adult cash price for youth riders. |
| Muni | Free for youth. See details above. |
| Napa VINE | Discounted price for youth. |
| Petaluma Transit | Free for youth through June 2025. See details above. |
| SamTrans | 50% discount (or more) for youth. The Youth Unlimited program offers free fares for qualifying riders. |
| San Francisco Bay Ferry | 50% discount with Youth Clipper card. |
| Santa Rosa CityBus | Free for youth. See details above. |
| SMART | Free for youth. See details above. |
| SolTrans | Free for youth. See details above. |
| Sonoma County Transit | Free for youth. See details above. |
| Tri Delta Transit | See details of the summer discount pricing above. |
| Union City Transit | Discounted price for youth. |
| Vine | Discounted price for youth. |
| VTA | 50% discount for youth. Monthly and annual passes are significantly discounted. |
| Wheels | Students may receive free transit through the Alameda County Transportation Commission Student Transit Pass Program. |
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