VPGE announces Go Pass pilot programs for off-campus graduate students and postdocs
Two pilot programs
Vice Provost for Graduate Education Patricia Gumport announced on June 11 that Provost John Etchemendy approved two Go Pass pilot programs: one for off-campus graduate students and one for off-campus postdoctoral scholars. Passes will be available for purchase for both programs beginning at the end of August or early September.
“The pilot programs are made possible by the very generous support of the Provost,” Gumport said, “along with essential co-funding from the Dean of the School of Medicine for the Go Pass Postdoc Pilot Program, and from the Graduate Student Council for the Go Pass Grad Student Pilot Program.”
Prices
Go Passes are valid for the calendar year and allow unlimited travel on Caltrain between all zones. The prorated cost for the 2014 pass, valid for eligible graduate students and postdocs from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, will be $55 per pass. The cost for the 2015 annual pass, valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, will be $180. The cost for the 2016 Go Pass will be $190. The Go Pass will continue to be available at no cost to eligible university and hospital employees.
Joining the Commute Club to offset costs
Those eligible for the Caltrain Go Pass also could receive up to $300 per year in Clean Air Cash by joining the Stanford Commute Club, which would more than offset the out-of-pocket expense for many students and postdocs. Go Passes offer a substantial savings compared with purchasing daily or monthly fares.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the graduate student or postdoc Go Pass will align with the university’s employee Go Pass program, including the requirements that participants reside off-campus (in eligible zip codes) and be full-time equivalent. Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of six units or TGR/TMR status. More details about the program, including eligibility and purchasing details, will be available in July on the Parking & Transportation Services website.
Consider the savings and convenience of the Go Pass
“We hope that graduate students and postdocs will consider the Go Pass as they make housing decisions for the new academic year, so they can take full advantage of the savings and convenience the Caltrain Go Pass offers,” Gumport said. “We believe the availability of the Go Pass for both graduate students and postdocs comes at an ideal time in Stanford’s history and will align well with important values and needs of our university community.”
Pilot programs approved through December 2016
The pilot programs for graduate students and postdocs have been approved from September 2014 through December 2016. When the pilot programs end, their success will be evaluated and ongoing funding would need to be identified for each program to continue.
Questions?
For questions about the Go Pass pilot programs, send an email to commuteclub@stanford.edu.
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