New Commuter Initiatives for the New Year

Caltech has instituted a series of new or enhanced commuter incentives and initiatives to increase participation in more sustainable modes of transportation to and from campus.

The newly enhanced incentives, which went into effect as of January 1, include benefits for carpoolers, vanpoolers, and public transit riders.

Carpoolers will not only continue to receive preferred parking spots on campus, but also will receive a 50% discount on the price of a monthly parking permit and four days of free parking per month per passenger.

Each vanpool will also continue to receive a preferred parking spot, a free parking permit, and access to the Caltech gas pump; in addition, each person in the vanpool will receive a $100 monthly subsidy and six days of free parking per month.

For Caltech commuters who use public transit, the Institute now offers a free Metro pass or $100 subsidy toward a monthly Metrolink pass, as well as four days of free parking per month per commuter. Metrolink passes can only be purchased at a Metrolink station.

The free Metro pass is available to Caltech staff, students, faculty, and postdocs, and is valid on all Metro lines as well as Pasadena Transit and a growing number of other local transit agencies.

Pre-registration is required to pick up a free pass at the Parking Office. Instructions on how to apply for the free Metro pass can be found here.

In addition, Caltech offers enrolled bikers and walkers four days of free parking per month per person. And for those who participate in any of these commuter programs—carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, bicycling, or walking—the Institute also offers a "guaranteed ride home," i.e., one free taxi ride home per quarter per person in the event of an unscheduled event that makes the service necessary.

For information on how the current incentives compare to what was offered previously, visit the Commuter Benefits Comparison chart here. For more information on Caltech's commuter services overall, visit the Parking and Commuter Services website, call x8877, or email [email protected].