Metro offers a variety of options for paying your fare. If you don't use Metro frequently, your best choices are base fare, day pass, or tokens. If you use Metro to commute, Metro monthly passes are an even sweeter deal with Caltech's $25 monthly subsidy.
Quick Overview:
- Base Fare Required for each boarding. $1.25
- Day Pass Good for unlimited travel all day. $5
- Bag of Tokens (10) Available at the Caltech Bookstore.
Good for base fare on Metro. $12.50
- Student Monthly Pass Available at the Caltech Bookstore.
Price includes Caltech subsidy. $11
- Monthly Pass Available at the Caltech Bookstore.
Price includes Caltech subsidy. $37
- EZ Transit Pass Available at the Caltech Bookstore. Good on Metro and 17 other transit providers. Price includes Caltech subsidy. $45
Monthly Pass Subsidies: To encourage Caltech students, faculty, and staff to commute via public transit, Caltech's Rideshare office offers a $25 monthly subsidy on a monthly pass from any transit provider. To buy a subsidized Metro monthly pass, simply show your Caltech ID to the cashier at the Caltech Bookstore. If you did not buy your pass at the Caltech bookstore or have a student monthly pass, contact Irma Cruz at x4702 to receive your subsidy. You may only collect the subsidy on one pass per month. Metro weekly and semi-monthly passes are not eligible for the subsidy.
Metro Student Monthly Pass: With Caltech's $25 monthly subsidy, the Metro Student Monthly Pass costs only $11 per month! Obtaining this pass, however, requires some effort. Complete an application for a student monthly pass and submit it with the required documentation and a $1 application fee to the Metro Customer Center at Union Station. www.metro.net/images/CollegeID_app.pdf
Caltech Train Subsidy: Caltech's Rideshare Office also offers a $10 monthly subsidy on 10-trip Metrolink tickets, and a $50 monthly subsidy for a Metrolink monthly pass, which is also good on Amtrak under the Rail 2 Rail Program. A valid Metrolink ticket or pass also acts as a transfer on connecting transit away from the station. Contact Irma Cruz at x4702 to receive your subsidy.
Money-Saving Tips
Buying a pass is often less expensive than paying the $1.25 base fare.
The chart below can help you find the best pass value for your needs.
| If you buy a: | You save: |
| Day Pass ($5) | after 4 boardings per day |
| Weekly Pass ($17) | after 13 boardings per week |
| Monthly Pass ($37) | after 29 boardings per month |