Save time and money with these programs
Making sustainable trips in San Francisco can save you time and money! Learn about what programs are available to you below.
Commuters and Workers
- Emergency Ride Home – Get a free taxi ride from work if you experience a personal emergency and got to work by walking, biking, riding transit, or carpooling that day. Rides can end anywhere in the Bay Area, not just SF!
- Bay Area Carpool Program – Save money by carpooling to work.
- Bay Area Vanpool Program – Start a qualified vanpool with 4 or more commuters to save on gas, parking, and tolls. Don't have an eligible vehicle or don't want the wear and tear on your own car? Lease a vehicle with the Enterprise Vanpool program and get $500 off the monthly cost!
- SF Commuter Benefits Ordinance – Ask your employer about commuter benefits! SF employers with at least 20 employees nationwide are required to offer commuter benefits.
- Tenant Bike Parking Ordinance – Bike to work? Commercial buildings must either provide tenants unrestricted bike access or have a dedicated bike cage.
Seniors or Residents with a Disability
- Muni Discount - Free & discounted transit for SF seniors (65+).
- Essential Trips Card – 80% off taxi rides for seniors or residents with a disability.
- Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Card – Free & discounted transit for SF residents with a disability.
- Van Gogh - Shuttle rides for cultural and social events.
- Shop-a-Round Shuttle - Rides to the supermarket and farmers markets for seniors and people with disabilities
- Wheelchair Taxis - Access to taxis that accommodate wheelchairs.
- Paratransit - San Francisco Paratransit is a van and taxi program for people with a disability or disabling health conditions
Families and Youth
- Safe Routes To School – Get help walking, biking, riding transit, or carpooling to school.
- Free Muni – Free transit for all youth 18 years and younger.
- Bicis Del Pueblo – Get guided hands-on support to repair your bike or receive a refurbished bike after participating in 2 workshops that build basic bike literacy. Repair Nights 4-7pm: Tue @ 1950 Mission St (16th St BART) & Thu @ 404 Geneva Ave (Balboa Park BART)
Low and Moderate Income Residents
- Bike Share For All – New low-income riders get a year-long membership for $5.
- Electrify My Ride – An e-bike incentive program designed to make sustainable and affordable transportation available to more residents in San Francisco, specifically SFPUC Power customers with low incomes. Visit Electrify My Ride to learn more about the program.
- Muni Lifeline Pass – A discounted monthly Muni pass for low-income residents.
- Clipper START – Get a 20-50% discount on all transit trips including BART and the ferries!
- Free Muni - Free access to Muni for low and moderate income seniors and people with qualifying disabilities residing in San Francisco.
How to get around
Transit
*Update: Clipper 2.0 is here! Get a $2.85 discount on all interagency transfers when you upgrade to Clipper 2.0*
San Francisco boasts a robust transit system, featuring comprehensive bus routes, light rail services, historic cable cars, and easily accessible shared transit options that connect neighborhoods seamlessly. Below are some resources to help you make the most of public transit in SF and beyond!
New to Bay Area transit? Use Clipper Card: A reloadable card that works across most Bay Area transit systems.
Muni (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency)
Muni operates buses, light rail, historic streetcars, and cable cars throughout San Francisco.
- Website: SFMTA Muni
- Trip Planner: Muni Trip Planner
- MuniMobile App: Use the app to purchase tickets and plan your routes.
Bayview Shuttle Program
The Bayview Shuttle program operates as a dynamic shuttle for rides anywhere within Bayview-Hunters Point, hailing rides either through a cellphone app or a tri-lingual call center.
- Website: Bayview Community Shuttle | SFMTA
- Resource Center: Bayview Transportation Resource Center | SFMTA
FREE Mission Bay Shuttle
Mission Bay Transportation Management Association is a non-profit organization committed to maximizing access and mobility to, from, and within the Mission Bay development area.
- Website: Mission Bay TMA
- Service Overview: MB Shuttle Service at a Glance | Mission Bay TMA
Coming from outside of San Francisco?
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
BART is the regional transit system connecting San Francisco with the East Bay, South Bay, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Oakland International Airport (OAK).
- Website: BART
- Real-Time Departures: BART Real-Time
Caltrain
Caltrain is a commuter rail service connecting San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley.
- Website: Caltrain
- Schedules and Fares: Caltrain Schedules
Golden Gate Transit
Golden Gate Transit offers buses and ferries connecting San Francisco to Marin County and beyond.
- Website: Golden Gate Transit
AC Transit
AC Transit provides bus service in the East Bay, including connections to San Francisco.
- Website: AC Transit
SamTrans
SamTrans operates bus services throughout San Mateo County and connects to San Francisco.
- Website: SamTrans
Ferry Services
Ferries offer scenic and sustainable travel across the Bay.
- San Francisco Bay Ferry: SF Bay Ferry San Francisco Bay Ferry operates routes connecting San Francisco to Oakland, Alameda, South San Francisco, and Vallejo. They also provide service to popular destinations like the Ferry Building, Oracle Park, and seasonal events.
- Golden Gate Ferry: Golden Gate Ferry Golden Gate Ferry connects San Francisco with Marin County, offering routes to Sausalito, Tiburon, and Larkspur. It’s a great option for scenic commutes or day trips to these waterfront towns.
By taking advantage of these public and shared transit options, you can help reduce traffic congestion and lower your carbon footprint while enjoying the freedom to explore the Bay Area's diverse neighborhoods and stunning natural beauty.
Walk
Walking is a fantastic way to stay healthy, save money, and enjoy the beauty of San Francisco.
If you live close to your workplace or to public transportation, consider walking instead. It costs nothing, creates no pollution, and requires no fuel. It’s an excellent way to exercise and connect with your community while avoiding the stress of traffic and finding parking.
Some other benefits of walking to consider:
- Walking regularly can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also helps manage weight, control blood pressure, and improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
- Walking can foster a sense of community by encouraging interactions with neighbors and fellow pedestrians. It can also provide opportunities for socializing and exploring new areas.
- Walking can often be faster than driving, especially in congested urban areas where traffic and parking can be unpredictable.
Walking Resources
San Francisco City Guides: Free walking tours of the city
Walk SF: San Francisco's pedestrian advocacy organization, makes walking safer and better for healthier and more livable communities
Walking for Health and Happiness: Walking is one of the best -- and simplest -- things you can do for yourself! Use this guide to making walking a regular part of your life
Bike
Biking is an effective, fun, and healthy way to commute. Per the League of American Bicyclists' most recent bike safety data, San Francisco ranks #1 as the safest large US city to bike in. Don't have a bike or not sure if it's right for you? Try bikeshare and experience the convenience and benefits of biking without the hassle or cost of ownership!
San Francisco Bike Map
Find bike routes to and from work (interactive map with bike routes)
SF Bike Network Map (SFMTA): SF Bike Network Map displays information on the City's bike lanes, routes and paths.
The Official San Francisco Bike Guide (SFMTA, PDF): A comprehensive guide to cycling in San Francisco.
Bikes on Transit
Bikes on BART (BART)
Bikes on Muni (SFMTA)
Bikes on transit (511)
Bike Benefits and Parking
Does your workplace have bike parking? - Requirements related to bicycle parking
Tenant Bicycle Parking in Existing Commercial Buildings Ordinance
Bike safety
How to lock your bike (San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)
Urban bicycling workshops (San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)
Bicycle Rules of the Road (San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)
Bus Racks: Instructions on how to put your bike on the bus are on the rack
Bike repair
Bicis Del Pueblo – Get guided hands-on support to repair your bike or receive a refurbished bike after participating in 2 workshops that build basic bike literacy. Repair Nights 4-7pm: Tue @ 1950 Mission St (16th St BART) & Thu @ 404 Geneva Ave (Balboa Park BART)
The Bike Kitchen – The Bike Kitchen teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to repair bicycles
Sports Basement – Sports Basement offers a variety of ongoing free and low-cost bike maintenance classes at each store
Bay Area BikeMobile – A Bay Area bicycle repair program funded through a Zero Waste grant, providing repair services and bike components at SFPL repair clinics. Check here for the next repair clinic: Upcoming events
Biking to or from outside of SF?
Check out 511.org's comprehensive biking resources page for additional resources for biking around the Bay Area.
Car Share
Carshare is a great way to enjoy the benefits of having a car without the downsides of ownership. Have you considered trying it out?
Below are some benefits worth considering:
Cost Savings: Carshare programs often result in significant cost savings compared to owning a car. You only pay for the time you use the vehicle, avoiding expenses like insurance, maintenance, registration, and parking.
Flexibility: With carsharing, you have access to a vehicle when you need it without the commitment of ownership. This is especially useful for occasional trips or when public transportation isn't convenient.
Parking Benefits: Carshare vehicles are often parked in designated spaces, reducing the need for personal parking and the associated costs.
Less Stressful: No more worrying about vehicle wear and tear, vehicle theft and damage, or buying and selling your car!
Check out the SFMTA's Car Share website to explore what cars hare options are available for you.
What is sustainable transportation?
Sustainable transportation can be walking, bicycling, taking public transit, using a scooter, riding the ferry, carpooling or vanpooling, and more! Anytime you go from one place to another without driving alone in a car, you are traveling sustainably.
Why should I make more sustainable trips?
Walking, bicycling, taking public transit, or carpooling just one day a week for a year can save you more than $500 in driving costs. Leaving your car at home does more than help your wallet—it helps the environment, the economy, your community and your health. By not driving your own car, you leave the road less congested for other drivers, and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, all while reducing pollution in your community.
For more resources, check out 511 SF Bay - the one-stop source for traffic, transit, rideshare and bicycling information in the SF Bay Area.