All Hayward Unified middle, high school students now eligible for Alameda CTC Student Transit Pass

HAYWARD, Calif., March 4, 2026—The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Student Transit Pass that provides free and discounted rides on local and regional transit systems is now available to all Hayward Unified School District middle and high school students, Alameda CTC, the School District and City of Hayward announced today.

The Student Transit Pass Program offers unlimited free rides on AC Transit, Union City Transit and Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) Wheels, 50-percent discounts on BART and discounts on other Bay Area systems, including SF Bay Ferry, Caltrain and SamTrans.

Alameda CTC Chair and President of the County Board of Supervisors David Haubert announced today that all students enrolled in middle and high schools in Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo unified school districts are now eligible for the Student Transit Pass Program regardless of their individual household income. The Student Transit Pass Program is supported by Alameda County’s transportation sales tax Measure BB, approved by voters in 2014.

The blanket eligibility is the result of a recent Alameda CTC review of the percentage of Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo unified school students participating in Free or Reduced-Price Meal programs, a data point used by Alameda CTC to determine income eligibility for the Student Transit Pass Program, Haubert said. “By expanding eligibility for the Student Transit Pass Program, we’re making it easier for students to get to school, after school activities, their jobs, and other activities across Alameda County,” said Haubert, who is Alameda County Supervisor for District 1. “This expansion is only possible with the support of Alameda County voters who approved Measure BB and put their trust in Alameda CTC to improve mobility for everyone. The Student Transit Pass Program removes barriers for families, and ensures that students can rely on public transit as a safe, affordable, and consistent option for their commute.”

“This is very welcome news,” HUSD Superintendent Chien Wu-Fernandez said. “Access to critical services, such as public transit, is very important for our student population, particularly those with limited means and few other transportation options. Our students will benefit greatly from this.”

Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas, who also serves as a Commissioner for Alameda CTC, thanked Alameda CTC staff for doing the work to determine that Hayward Unified students should be universally eligible for free and discounted bus, train and ferry trips through the Student Transit Pass.

“This is a great example of how local governments and agencies can work together to support students and families in practical and meaningful ways,” Salinas said.

For more information on the Student Transit Pass program—including how to apply, how it works and how to use the pass across multiple transit agencies—start here on the Alameda CTC website.