Employee Benefits Portal
Starting May 1st, City of Palo Alto employees will have access to unlimited travel on regional transit. The Clipper BayPass will allow access to all bus, rail, and ferry services in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area that accept Clipper! This includes Caltrain, BART, VTA, Dumbarton Express and more.
1. How do I enroll?: Complete the enrollment form here. You will need your clipper card serial number. Processing will take 5-7 business days. You will receive an email once your BayPass has been added. You must tap your Clipper Card at a fare reader to officially load the BayPass on your Clipper card.
2. Where is my Clipper Card serial number?: You can find your 10-digit serial number can be found on the back of your physical card, in your Clipper app under "View Card Details", or in your Apple and Google Wallet under "Card Number". For more details on where to find your serial number, click here.
3. What if I don't have a Clipper Card?: Go to Clipper's website to get a Clipper Card. You can get Clipper on your phone, purchase a new card online, or buy a card in person. You will be required to add a minimum of $3.
4. How do I use my Clipper BayPass?: When riding a transit service with the Clipper BayPass, you must tap your Clipper card on a card reader when entering a station or boarding a vehicle to receive the transit benefit. You must also tap off on services like Caltrain and Golden Gate buses that require users to tap off at the end of trips. Failure to do so is a failure to pay and may result in a fine.
5. Can I still use my Caltrain GoPass?: No, employees with a Caltrain GoPass must switch to Clipper BayPass. Your GoPass will stop being accepted by Caltrain and if you do not transition to the BayPass you may receive a ticket. You will be required to return your Caltrain GoPass to the HR department by May 15th.
6. Does the Clipper BayPass work on all transit operators?: Clipper BayPass provides unlimited trips on all bus, rail, and ferry services in the 9-county Bay Area that accept Clipper, except for the historic San Francisco Cable Cars. Parking, Baywheels and BikeLink are also not included. You must tap your Clipper card (either physical or digital) on the card readers to activate the pass every time you ride.
7. Should I change my Pre-Tax transit deductions or any automatic contributions to my Clipper card?: Please review if the current transit options under Clipper BayPass cover the transportation services that you use your pre-tax transit deductions for. If they do not fall under Clipper BayPass, you may want to continue your pre-tax transit deductions. If you would like to make changes to your pre-tax transit deductions, go to your Navia account and follow prompts to change your deductions.
8. What should I do if my BayPass card isn’t working at a faregate or Clipper reader?: Please be prepared with alternative payment if the BayPass isn’t working. If you have a cash amount on your Clipper Card and your BayPass isn’t working for any reason, you can use the cash value to ride while the problem is being troubleshooted. You may receive a citation if you board with a BayPass card that isn’t working. The City of Palo Alto will not be responsible for any citations. If the Clipper card itself is not working, please check the tips on the Clipper website. If the card on your phone is not working, please call Clipper customer service: 877-878-8883.
9. Can I share BayPass with my family or friends?: No. The Clipper BayPass card is not transferable; only you may use it. Any misuse of the Clipper BayPass may result in fines.
10. Can I use Clipper BayPass for errands or social trips?: Yes! You can use your Clipper BayPass for any type of trip—work related or personal.
11. What if I already have cash value or other pass products on my Clipper card?: All trips will utilize the Clipper BayPass as the primary pass. Cash value and other pass products can coexist with the Clipper BayPass and will not be affected. The balance will remain on the card to use if the BayPass malfunctions, the Pilot ends, or you leave the City. While the BayPass is active and working, the balance on the Clipper would only go down if used at a non-participating transit provider (or historic San Francisco Cable Cars, parking, BayWheels, and BikeLink).
12. If I separate from the City of Palo Alto, can I keep the Clipper BayPass?: You do not need to return any Clipper cards; however, you will no longer receive the Clipper BayPass unlimited transit access after you leave the City of Palo Alto. Your Clipper BayPass transit benefits will end when you are no longer an employee.
Clipper BayPass - The BayPass provides employees with access to unlimited travel on regional transit that accept Clipper! This includes Caltrain, BART, VTA, Dumbarton Express, MUNI and more.
Bike or Walk - How about getting some exercise in on the way to work? Bicyclists and Walkers are eligible to receive $20 per month for maintenance and repair.
Vanpool or Rideshare -Save money by vanpooling or ridesharing using services such as Scoop or Lyft Line. For a vanpool to qualify, the vehicle must seat 6 or more passengers. The City will subsidize 25% of your pre-tax and post-tax payroll deduction for vanpooling or ridesharing.
Transit - Avoid the stress of driving. Use BART, Dumbarton Express, SamTrans, VTA, or other public transit services to get to work and the City will subsidize 25% of your pre- and post-tax payroll deduction for transit expenses.
Carpool - Don’t mind sharing a ride with a friend? Carpool to work and be eligible to receive $30 per month.
Parking - Need to pay for parking as part of your commute? Park at Caltrain or BART and the City will subsidize 25% of your pre-tax and post-tax payroll deductions for parking.
Vanpool, Rideshare, Transit & Parking - Tax Free Commuter Benefits
25% subsidy provided by the City
75% paid via pre-tax payroll deductions up to the monthly limit defined by the IRS.
Carpool, Walk, Bike - Taxable Commuter Benefits
Carpoolers $30/month
Walkers $20/month
Bicylist $20 per month
Clipper BayPass
All employees in the following units are eligible for commuter benefits: SEIU, UMPAPA, IAFF, FCA, PAPOA, PMA, MGMT.
Vanpool, Rideshare, Transit, Parking, Carpool, Walk & Bike
Complete this Registration Form.
Once you have completed the registration form, you will receive an email from HR outlining the steps to receive your monthly benefit.
Clipper BayPass
Get a Clipper Card: If you already have a Clipper Card, move to step 2.
Activate and use your Clipper BayPass: Tap on (and off) at the card reader when entering a station or boarding a vehicle.
To Learn more commuter benefits, please use the links below
Commuter Benefits
The City of Palo Alto want you to experience the benefits of a smarter commute. We offer a collection of commuter benefits to fit the needs of each commuter. Whether you walk, bike, take transit or carpool, there is a benefit for you. There are benefits that allow you to deduct money pre-tax, match expenses in many cases and even receive fully subsidized transit in some cases. We also provide personalized commute counseling to help you make the best trip plans possible.