Caltrain Pass Forward in 2026

We have just received news that Manzanita Works has been approved as a Caltrain Regional Partner for 2026. This enables us to connect qualified essential workers to the local commuter rail's Pass Forward program; we have an allocation of free GoPasses to distribute to eligible recipients. We are honored to have been collaborating with Caltrain since the program's inception in 2021.

As a Pass Forward Program recipient, qualified participants can enjoy free, unlimited rides through all zones for the entire calendar year. Caltrain provides train service along the Peninsula, from San Francisco to Gilroy. Plus, you’ll have convenient connections to Muni, SamTrans, VTA, and BART, as well as easy access to San Francisco International Airport and San José’s Mineta International Airport.

If you are a returning program participant, please note that Caltrain has instituted program changes, including new income threshold requirements. Specifically, some of the program requirements are:

• Household income must be less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) (see income thresholds below)
• The pass is to be used at least twice a week
• It is our understanding that students and employees at educational institutions are NOT eligible for this program in 2026.

If these new eligibility requirements impacts you, we still encourage you to fill out our interest list survey as it is good for us to know who would like help accessing the train and other commute options in the future. We are actively exploring other programs that might benefit you.

To apply to participate in 2026: Please complete our Manzanita Works' Pass Forward Interest Survey and we can then connect you with the SamTrans enrollment survey the public agency administers for Caltrain. Once both are completed and riders are qualified and approved, we can meet up to provide you with your card for use in 2026.

Some additional updates for returning participants:

1) Clipper is transitioning to its new and upgraded system, Next Generation Clipper, that introduces enhanced features, products, and services designed to make transit payments faster and more convenient. For more info visit www.futureofclipper.com; and

2) Hold onto your existing Clipper Card so that if you are approved, we can renew the card you have on record. Current cards with valid passes will work in the new system but program participants need to tap now and in early February to ensure cards get moved to the new system. If you turn your physical cards into mobile cards, mobile cards will be migrated to the new system automatically. For details on how to make your physical card mobile, visit www.clippercard.com. Let us know if we can assist you with this transition.

Here are Caltrain's Pass Forward income thresholds using 2024 data from the CA Department of Housing & Community Development:

These past few months, it has been great to see our inventory of e-bike loaners get into the hands of essential workers who live or work in Redwood City. Our Essential Wheels® program is now touching residents in many communities. We are excited to share that more grants and sponsorships are forthcoming to add inventory that lets us open up the live or work preference to more geographies.

"It has been a great way to introduce the world of bikes to me, and the benefit of them on my health, and the idea that I am more likely to own one for myself. I've been looking into them for commute, especially ones that can carry my payload, as a therapist." Essential Wheels participant

If you are an essential worker who is interested in borrowing an e-bike for free (up to 12 months). Visit our program website and scroll down to add your name to our Essential Wheels Interest List when additional e-bikes become available.

Our tool lending library, Essential Tools™, is now humming along with 53 members who are residents across 16 communities in two counties. If you didn't see it in November, check out the local press coverage of the program from Redwood City Pulse! Essential Tools™ Members can borrow items in the inventory for free on a weekly basis and receive discounts at Hassett Ace Hardware Stores.

"I have been having a positive experience with the program. It's been a great way to obtain tools that I may not need to own but only use occasionally or just once." Essential Tools member

We are honored to be collaborating with the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Management and the Sustainability Department on key initiatives. More news on that in 2026 but in the meantime, you can join the program here.

Back in 2017 and 2018, we convened a series of Teacher Town Halls with local labor associations, school district administrators, an organization called Support Teacher Housing, and former Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. In these six meetings from San Jose to Redwood City, educators and school staff shared their challenges, concerns and ideas around housing availability and affordability, laying the groundwork for the creation of more housing options.

Supervisor Joe Simitian went on to spearhead The Acacia project* for teacher housing on county land in Palo Alto. Today, qualified applicants can apply to live in one of the project's 110 new units! In order to apply, educators can call Mercy Housing at 650-606-5725, email 231grant@mercyhousing.org or visit their website at acacia.liveinhope.org.

*Manzanita Works is unaffiliated with The Acacia property or program.

We are excited to share with you the new programs we've designed, been awarded funding for, and are launching in 2026. These programs range from lightening your step on your way to work to crossing biomes and zip codes in more ways than one. Stay tuned for forthcoming newsletters at the start of the new year for details.

Until then, from our team at Manzanita Works to all of you who work in essential roles within our community and region, we wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday season. Thank you for everything that you do!

Manzanita Works, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the workforce and their families live fruitful, dignified lives. We have been a fiscally sponsored project of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation and are focused on helping essential workers close the gaps that interrupt their ability to come to work in 6 program areas: housing, commute, health, food security, family care and the future of work. Our work is funded by local grants, sponsors and individual donations who support our vision and mission. Donations can be made in 2025 by selecting the "Manzanita Works Designated Fund" through Philanthropic Ventures Foundation via their Network For Good platform.