Student Transit Pass Pilot

Alameda CTC is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of a three-year Student Transit Pass Program (STPP) pilot in Alameda County. This pilot program is identified in the voter-approved 2014 Transportation Expenditure Plan (2014 Plan) and is funded by Measure BB. The 2014 Plan includes $15 million “for the purposes of funding one or more models for a student transit pass program designed to account for geographic differences within the county.”

This pilot program provides a vital opportunity to assess student transportation needs in the county and to develop an approach to meet those needs through implementation of a sustainable pass program. The pilot will make it easier to travel to and from school and school-related programs, jobs and other activities, expanding transportation options for Alameda County’s middle and high school students.

The Commission-adopted goals of the STPP are as follows:
  • Reduce barriers to transportation access to and from schools
  • Improve transportation options for Alameda County’s middle and high school students
  • Build support for transit in Alameda County
  • Develop effective three-year pilot programs
  • Create a basis for a countywide student transit pass program (funding permitting)

The program is expected to run from August 2016 through July 2019, and several pilot program models will be tested during this time. In March 2016, the Commission approved a site selection framework and a shortlist of 36 school sites that are eligible during the three-year pilot. At the same time, the Commission approved an evaluation framework for the pilot program including 18 quantitative and qualitative measures to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program models. Throughout this process, feedback was solicited from interested stakeholders.

The design of the first year of the program was approved by the Commission in May 2016. The design of the second year was approved by the Commission in March 2017, and the design of the third year was approved by the Commission in March 2018.

The STPP has been approved for continuation and expansion by Alameda CTC for five years beginning in the 2019/2020 school year.

Phase I the Student Transit Pass Program expansion is based on Commission-approved expansion criteria and balances geographic equity across planning areas in the county. Participating schools in each District will be confirmed in consultation with school district staff and agency staff in spring 2019.

The Student Transit Pass Program will expand to all middle and high schools in the following districts:
  • Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE)
  • Emery Unified School District (EmeryUSD)
  • Hayward Unified School District (HUSD)
  • Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD)
  • New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD)
  • Newark Unified School District (NUSD)
  • San Leandro Unified School District (SLUSD)

The STPP program will include a subset of schools in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

student pilot program
students sign up
student get on board transit bus

The 2018-2019 school year is in the third year of the pilot. During Year 3, 21 middle and high schools in Alameda County will participate in the STPP. The participating schools and the parameters for each pilot program model are summarized below. Schools and school districts indicated with an asterisk are new participating schools and districts in year 3 of the program.

Pilot program frequently asked questions (FAQs) and registration materials are available below. Students enrolled in pilot program schools should contact their school administration office for any other information about the program.

Oakland Unified School District
  • Free and universal program: All students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • Fremont High School
    • Castlemont High School
    • McClymonds High School
    • Oakland High School*
    • Frick Middle School
    • Westlake Middle School
    • Roosevelt Middle School*
San Leandro Unified School District
  • Free and universal program: All students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • San Leandro High School
    • John Muir Middle School
Hayward Unified School District
  • Means-based program: All low-income students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • Hayward High School
    • Bret Harte Middle School
New Haven Unified School District
  • Means-based program: Means-based program: All low-income students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit and Union City Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • James Logan High School
    • Cesar Chavez Middle School
Newark Unified School District*
  • Free and universal program: All students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • Newark Memorial High School*
    • Newark Junior High School*
Fremont Unified School District*
  • Means-based program: All low-income students at the following schools have access to a free AC Transit bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • American High School*
    • Williams Hopkins Junior High School*
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
  • Free and universal program: All students at the following schools have access to a free LAVTA Wheels bus pass on a Clipper card.
    • Del Valle High School
    • Livermore High School
    • Christensen Middle School
    • East Avenue Middle School
students sign up for program
banner for the student transit pass pilot
Oakland Unified School District San Leandro Unified School District Hayward Unified School District New Haven Unified School District Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Newark Unified School District Fremont Unified School District

Students enrolled in pilot program schools should contact their school administration office for any other information about the program.

Clipper Card Replacement Instructions

Travel Training

Evaluation

The Year One Program Evaluation Report was published in October 2017. The Year Two Program Evaluation Report and Appendices were published in November 2018. Both reports draw on data collected throughout their respective years, including:
  • Data reported from transit agencies (historical baseline and usage data)
  • Information tracked by the school program administrators
  • Surveys and focus groups at schools

Background Documents