Caltrain GoPass vs. BayPass
Why pay more for less coverage?
In October 2025, Transportation Solutions (TS) launched the Caltrain GoPass, a $99 annual pass that provides unlimited rides on Caltrain only. While it is a good option for students who live near a Caltrain station, it leaves out many SJSU commuters who depend on multiple transit systems to reach campus.
The Clipper BayPass gives everyone more flexibility. It connects over 23 transit agencies across the Bay Area, making it easy for students to take Muni or AC Transit from their homes in San Francisco or the East Bay, ride BART or Caltrain into the South Bay, and transfer to VTA for the final trip to SJSU. All covered for free with a single pass.
BayPass covers whatever, wherever students need to go, and at half the cost of GoPass. It is the most affordable and flexible way for Spartans across the region to reach classes, internships, and opportunities throughout the Bay Area.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Caltrain GoPass
- ✅ Unlimited rides on Caltrain (Zones 1–6)
- 🚫 Does not include BART, VTA, AC Transit, or Muni
- 💳 Can be used digitally, but if linked to your existing SmartPass, it must stay on a physical Clipper card
- 📅 Only valid through July 31, 2026
Offered by Transportation Solutions starting October 1, 2025. Price is prorated if purchased later in the year, starting at $82.50 in October and decreasing monthly to $8.25 in July.
Clipper BayPass
- ✅ Unlimited rides across 23+ agencies in the Bay Area
- 🚆 Includes Caltrain, BART, VTA, AC Transit, SamTrans, Muni, and more
- 💳 Works seamlessly on both physical and digital Clipper cards
- 🅿️ Includes free BART station parking
A program by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), designed to unify transit access across the Bay Area and make commuting affordable for all students.
* BayPass pricing is based on a proposed $25 per semester cost. Final pricing and implementation details will be determined by the Campus Fee Advisory Committee and/or a student vote.
One pass to ride them all.
The Clipper BayPass costs half as much as GoPass and opens up the entire Bay Area, from Gilroy to Santa Rosa, for the price of a few bobas 🧋
Learn More About BayPass →