Employee programs
If you’re one of the thousands of employees who’d like to find a better way to get to work, Palo Alto TMA can help. Right now, we’ve got three programs for employees in Palo Alto. Not sure what might work for you – or need advice? We can evaluate your individual needs and help you sort out the options. Here's what’s currently offered:
Free Transit passes
Do you earn less than $70,000 and work in Palo Alto? Will you commit to commuting by transit 3 days per week? If so, you may qualify for a FREE transit pass!
PATMA will give qualified employees a Clipper Card loaded with your choice of a Caltrain GoPass*, SamTrans, VTA or AC Transit (Dumbarton Express) monthly pass.
The monthly pass is good for unlimited trips within your pass parameters each month. As long as you use it for commuting 3 or more days per week, you can renew each month (subject to funding availability).
That’s a value of $800 to $4,200 per year! Plus, you’ll save gas, parking headaches and other commute costs.
*The Caltrain GoPass is an annual pass that can be used across the entire Caltrain system.
BIKE LOVE PROGRAM
Do you currently drive alone to work in Palo Alto?
Bike Love, developed in partnership with the Motion mobility app, incentivizes active commuting to and from work.
Receive $5 per day - up to $600 a year - and $10 to set up Bike Love.
The app confirms eligible bike, e-bike, e-scooter, and e-skateboard trips to Downtown Palo Alto, California Ave, or one of 30 Caltrain stations.
Within minutes of completing the ride to work, incentive dollars will be available on your Visa® Rewards Card and can be redeemed at local merchants. By spending your incentive dollars at local merchants, the rewards for your clean commute will help support Palo Alto businesses - a win for the environment and the local economy!
After-Hours Lyft Pass Program
PILOT PROGRAM:
E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS
Would you like to e-bike or e-scooter to work? PATMA is looking for 5 people who work in Palo Alto, drive alone to work, and make less than $70,000/year. This lease lasts for 12 months and is free to you.
Do you live less than 5 miles from work and want an all-electric city bike, mountain bike, or cargo bike? Or would you prefer an electric scooter because you want to connect to Caltrain or a bus that brings you to work in Palo Alto? Your choice!
To apply for 1 of the 5 pilot slots, fill out the application below.
AFTER-HOURS LYFT PASS PROGRAM
If you want to leave your car at home but your shift ends after the last bus or train leaves, PATMA can help.
We subsidize Lyft late night rides from your job in Downtown Palo Alto to home - Monday through Saturday 10pm-1am and Sunday 8pm-1am. Let us know if you need a train or bus pass from home to work. PATMA also offers $5/day Bike Love rewards for biking to and from work if you currently drive to work.
How it works
You can qualify for up to 15 rides per month. Each ride is capped at $10. Optional tips and any amount exceeding $10 per ride will be charged to your personal card.
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Credits will appear in your Lyft app, good for work trips between Downtown and the greater Palo Alto area zone.
To qualify you must:
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Live within the shaded area of the Greater Palo Alto Area map.
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Currently drive to work in Downtown Palo Alto.
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Finish work between 10pm-1am Monday-Saturday or 8pm-1am on Sundays.
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Earn less than $70,000 per year.
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Have a smartphone and email.