Select affordable housing communities managed by MidPen Housing in San Mateo, Calif., will start receiving free transit passes to use on any transit system in the Bay Area. The free passes will assist socio-economic disadvantaged communities and students. SamTrans — in conjunction with other transit agencies participating in the Clipper fare payment system — is excited to take part in the program.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), in partnership with Bay Area transit agencies, launched the Clipper BayPass pilot program in August that will provide some 50,000 Bay Area residents free access to all bus, rail, and ferry services in the nine-county region.

Clipper BayPass is the first initiative to be implemented based on recommendations of the Regional Fare Coordination/Integration Study, an 18-month study led by MTC and BART that focused on creating a more customer-friendly transit fare system in the Bay Area.

“The Clipper BayPass for communities and students in San Mateo County and across the Bay Area is a major accomplishment for the region and will continue to show the power of transit ridership in the County.” said Peter Ratto, SamTrans board chair.

The MTC will provide funds to transit agencies to offset the revenue impacts of the Clipper BayPass pilot, which is expected to conclude at the end of 2024.