SJSU has a
Car Problem
As a predominantly commuter school, San Jose State University has students coming to study from all across the Bay Area. Many students cannot afford to drive to campus, and have to pay over $2,000 out-of-pocket per semester for train & bus fares just to get to class. Those who drive have to spend over 20 minutes finding a spot in overcrowded parking garages.
Parking vs. People
Every day, over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff arrive on campus. But there are only 7,500 parking spaces. That math doesn't work — and it’s why transit matters.
The Solution?
Clipper BayPass is an unlimited transit pass that provides access to all bus, rail, and ferry services across the Bay Area, including VTA, BART, Caltrain, AC Transit, and more. BayPass is provided to all SJSU students as part of the IRA fee, as approved on May 5th, 2026, and will be available to all students starting August 15, 2026.
BayPass isn’t just about getting from point A to B. It’s about unlocking the full Bay Area for students who otherwise couldn’t afford it. Whether it’s a job interview in Palo Alto, an event in Oakland, or a research trip in San Francisco, BayPass turns these into real options.
How much do you save?
Students commuting from across the Bay Area often spend hundreds, sometimes thousands, just to get to class. That burden falls hardest on the 38% of SJSU students who commute from outside Santa Clara County.
Select a city to see what those students pay today, and how much BayPass saves them.
Parking for Those Who Need It
Every day, students struggle to find parking on campus. With widespread BayPass adoption, fewer students will drive to campus. This reduces demand on parking structures, making it significantly easier for those who still need to drive to find available spots quickly.
Everyone wins: Transit users save thousands per semester, drivers find parking faster, and campus parking works more efficiently for those who need it most.
Students Want BayPass
+0%
+0%
(Note: Statistics are from our latest survey data as of August. See our current and past data here.)
BayPass Works
+0%
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(Note: Statistics are from the 2 year pilot program which ended May 2024. See the full report here.)
Compared to Other Universities
Affordable transit for every Spartan.
San Francisco State University
Adopted: 2016
San José State University
Status: Approved
Available: August 15, 2026
UC Berkeley
Adopted: Spring 2025
* BayPass is included in the approved $184.50 per semester Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) fee, which also funds athletics, intramurals, Spartan Daily, and student engagement programs. BayPass will be available to all SJSU students starting August 15, 2026.
Where we are now
2022–2025
BayPass Phase 1 PilotSJSU participated at no cost to students or the university from Aug 2022 through Jun 2025. Over 7,000 Spartans used free, unlimited access to bus, rail, and ferry services across the Bay Area.
Oct 2024
Informal discussionsSeveral Associated Students board members discussed BayPass outside of a formal meeting. There were conversations about next steps, but nothing concrete or officially recorded in meeting minutes.
2024 to Mar 2025
No formal action takenDuring this period, SJSU did not advance any formal steps toward a BayPass renewal. Planning discussions remained on hold at this time.
Mid 2025
Pilot ended with no renewal decisionPhase 1 concluded in June 2025. Because of internal transitions, SJSU did not complete the steps required to pursue Phase 2, and the opportunity to continue BayPass was missed.
Jan 2026
IRA Fee Development BeginsSJSU launches the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) fee consultation process. The proposed $184.50 per semester fee includes $1.715 million in new funding to support a Bay Area Clipper Pass pilot for students, alongside athletics, intramurals, Spartan Daily, and student engagement programs.
May 5, 2026
IRA Fee ApprovedThe IRA fee passed, making BayPass a pass funded for all enrolled full-time and part-time SJSU students. This is the turning point: BayPass moves from campaign ask to campus benefit.
Now
Finalizing ImplementationSJSU and Associated Students, including AS Transportation Solutions, are busy finalizing the details and implementation under the agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. That means coordinating the SmartPass transition, student access, and the pieces needed so BayPass is ready to work on August 15.
See what the IRA means now →
Aug 15, 2026
BayPass Starts WorkingBayPass starts working for all enrolled SJSU students. Existing student SmartPasses move to BayPass, opening up unlimited bus, rail, and ferry access across the nine-county Bay Area region through June 30, 2027.
Who we are
We are independent undergraduate students at SJSU who think access to education should be a RIGHT - not dependent on owning a car.
Sam Jeffs
Sam, an engineering technology student from Half Moon Bay, builds rider-first tools like Catenary and Routle, pairing open data and mapping to make Bay Area transit clearer and more connected.
Our supporters
