Please select from your region below:
🌉 San Francisco Bay Area
Clipper START
Available throughout the nine-county Bay Area.
- 50% off transit fares
- Available to low-income adults ages 19–64
- Works on many transit systems including:
- Bay Area Rapid Transit
- Caltrain
- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
- many local bus and ferry operators
The program became permanent in 2025 and provides a uniform 50% discount across participating agencies.
Lifeline Transportation Program
Provides funding for:
- Community shuttles
- Senior transportation
- Transportation for children
- Bicycle and pedestrian access projects
- Mobility programs in low-income communities
Projects are administered county-by-county throughout the Bay Area.
BayPass Programs
Some college students and residents of participating affordable housing developments receive free regional transit access.
🌴 Los Angeles County
LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy)
One of California’s largest transit assistance programs.
Benefits may include:
- Free rides each month
- Deeply discounted monthly passes
- Reduced fares on participating transit agencies
- Benefits loaded directly to a TAP card
Participating agencies include:
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- Antelope Valley Transit Authority
- and numerous municipal transit operators throughout the county
Low-income residents can qualify through income guidelines.
GoPass Program
Provides free transit access for many K–12 students through participating school districts.
🌾 Central Valley
ACE Community Assistance Program (CAP)
Serves riders using:
- Altamont Corridor Express
Benefits:
- Up to 50% fare discounts
- Income-based eligibility
Designed to help low-income commuters along the ACE corridor.
County Dial-a-Ride Programs
Most Central Valley counties operate:
- Senior transportation
- Disability transportation
- Medical appointment rides
- Rural transit services
Counties commonly offering these include:
- Fresno
- Kern
- Merced
- Stanislaus
- San Joaquin
- Tulare
Many rides are free or donation-based.
🏖️ Orange County
OC Bus Advantage Programs
Available through:
- Orange County Transportation Authority
Programs include:
- Reduced fares for seniors
- Reduced fares for disabled riders
- Youth discounts
- Community assistance programs through partner organizations
Many nonprofit agencies also distribute free bus passes to low-income residents.
🌊 San Diego County
PRONTO Reduced Fare Program
Available through:
- San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Provides:
- Reduced fares for seniors
- Reduced fares for disabled riders
- Youth discounts
- Special low-income assistance through partner agencies
Many homeless-service and workforce-development programs distribute free transit passes.
🌲 Northern California (Sacramento & Surrounding Counties)
RydeFreeRT
Available through:
- Sacramento Regional Transit District
Provides:
- Free rides for youth in participating age groups
- Significant savings for families
Discount Fare Programs
Available for:
- Seniors
- Disabled riders
- Veterans
- Low-income riders through local nonprofits
🏔️ Rural & Mountain Counties
Many rural counties operate free or nearly-free transportation systems for:
- Seniors
- Disabled residents
- Veterans
- Medical appointments
- Grocery trips
- Employment transportation
Examples include:
- Eastern Sierra Transit Authority
- county-operated Dial-a-Ride programs
- volunteer driver programs
Some communities such as Mammoth Lakes operate free local bus routes.
🚑 Statewide Programs Available Almost Everywhere
Medi-Cal Transportation
If enrolled in Medi-Cal, you may qualify for:
- Free rides to medical appointments
- Mileage reimbursement
- Bus tickets
- Taxi service
- Non-emergency medical transportation
Senior Transportation Programs
Nearly every California county funds:
- Free shuttle services
- Volunteer driver programs
- Discount transit passes
Disability Transportation
Most transit agencies offer:
- ADA paratransit service
- Reduced fares
- Door-to-door transportation
Quick Reference
| Region | Major Program | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Area | Clipper START | 50% transit discount |
| Bay Area | Lifeline Transportation | Community mobility programs |
| Los Angeles | LIFE | Free rides + discounted passes |
| Los Angeles | GoPass | Free student transit |
| Central Valley | ACE CAP | Up to 50% rail discount |
| Sacramento | RydeFreeRT | Free youth transit |
| Statewide | Medi-Cal Transportation | Free medical rides |
| Statewide | ADA Paratransit | Door-to-door transportation |