Better transportation options for everyone
Making travel in Palo Alto less expensive and more enjoyable for workers and residents
The Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (PATMA) is dedicated to helping low-income workers, low-income residents, older adults, and people with disabilities save money on their cars, get where they need to go by train, bus or bike, and protect the environment. Please view Our Programs menu to learn more and register.
Our partners
Explore our programs
Do you work or live in Palo Alto* and currently drive alone to work? Have you found a new job in the area? Make less than 80% of the area median income? You may qualify for our sustainable commuting program.
Palo Alto workers and residents making below the following income limits may be eligible for PATMA’s programs:
$117,700 for a 1 person household*
$134,500 for 2 people in a household
$151,300 for 3 people in a household
$168,100 for 4+ people in a household
*A household is a family that files taxes together and pays bills from a shared bank account.
*Note: Employees working for Stanford University, Stanford Medical Center, Stanford Research Park, Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), and salaried employees of the City of Palo Alto, or the Palo Alto Unified School District who receive benefits are not eligible for our program.
-
Free transit pass (Caltrain, SamTrans, or Dumbarton Express) for employees or residents of Palo Alto who earn less than 80% of the area median income.
Restrictions apply. Click here for more details.
-
Earn $5/day, up to $599/year if you currently drive alone to work and switch to commuting by bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric scooter.
Restrictions apply. Click here for more details.
-
Employees working in Palo Alto and earning less than the area median income may receive a $10 credit for an after-hours Lyft ride of up to 5 miles to be used after trains and buses stop running.
Restrictions apply. Click here for more details.
-
Free refurbished bike for employees or residents of Palo Alto who earn less than the area median income.
Restrictions apply. Click here for more details.
Our members
Testimonials
-
![]()
Katrina, Palo Alto Orthodontics
“I use an e-scooter to travel the first mile to the Caltrain station near home, fold it up and bring it onboard, then ride the last mile to work. I often scooter to restaurants Downtown for lunch. Then after work I can easily catch the train and get home in time to pick up my kids from school.”
-
![]()
Kimberly, Dion Health
"I ride from Redwood City to Cal Ave daily. I love the ease, and calmness of the train. It’s fast and economical. No worries about traffic or gas prices or wear and tear on my car. I’ve convinced my coworker to use the program as well. Let’s keep helping the environment and enjoying the ride!”
-
![]()
Rene, Sheraton Hotel
“When I have to drive to work from Belmont I wish I was on the train. The Belmont Caltrain station is conveniently down the hill and then when I go home I get exercise biking up the hill. Plus it’s fun taking the train home on Friday afternoon because people are happy it’s the weekend.”
-
![]()
Alan, Palo Alto Bicycles
“The train from San Jose is faster than driving. Not being in bumper-to-bumper traffic reduces the stress of my commute.”
