Would You Ride Caltrain if It Were Free?

Caltrain is hoping to entice riders with its Go Pass, which allows employers to purchase an annual pass for unlimited rides throughout Caltrain’s system - including the Mountain View station - for all employees.

The Skoll Foundation in Palo Alto has just 36 employees but sees major benefits from its participation in the program. “The foundation has a strong commitment to the environment, and we were looking for ways to encourage our employees to use public transportation,” said Controller Rob Lenahan. “At the time, we had a few people using the train, but many were driving.”

Lenahan called the Go Pass “wildly successful” with more than half of the foundation’s employees now regular Caltrain riders. “It’s one of the most popular benefits that we have,” said Lenahan. “And it has been a huge boon in helping us recruit employees who live in San Francisco.”

The Go Pass - a small sticker affixed to an employee photo ID badge - is purchased by employers for all of their regular, full-time employees and can be used in any zone throughout the system, seven days a week.

Employees traveling on Caltrain simply present the badge with the Go Pass sticker when asked for proof of payment by a Caltrain conductor or fare enforcement officer.

Introduced in 2003, the pass has proven to be a winner among employees who are enjoying a commute that was once far more stressful, Caltrain officials said.