Transit Funding Programs

Income-qualifying Oaklanders can receive funding for transit, shared mobility, and other mobility-related services through prepaid debit cards and Clipper Cards.

West Oakland Universal Basic Mobility Pilot

Update - Sign-ups for the West Oakland Pilot are closed. Thank you participating!

Note: Additional spots may become available in the coming months as participation can vary. We will update this page and make announcements through our social media and news channels if this occurs.

Up to 1,000 West Oaklanders are eligible to receive up to $320 each for eligible transportation expenses thanks to a grant from the Alameda County Transportation Commission.

To be eligible for this pilot, participants must live or work in West Oakland and qualify as "Low" Income. The income limit ranges from a $103,500 yearly income for a one person household to $195,250 for an eight person household. Find more information on Housing and Community Development Department Income Limits(PDF, 73KB). City of Oakland employees are not eligible.

Eligible participants must live or work within the area shown below:

Remember that you can only use your card on public transit, bikeshare, and e-scooters, including (but not limited to) the providers listed below. Email parklandish@oaklandca.gov to enable your card to be used on BayWheels bike share.

  • AC Transit
  • Clipper
  • BART
  • Amtrak
  • BayWheels
  • LINK
  • Lime
  • Veo
  • WETA Ferry

In Person Events

Qualifying participants can also pick up pre-paid cards at any of the follow in-person events:

  • 7/11/2024, 4pm - 8pm: Prescott Night Market - 1620 18th St, Oakland, CA 94607
  • 7/21/2024, 10:00am - 2:00pm: West Oakland Farmers Market, 1809 Peralta Street Oakland, CA 94607

East Oakland Participants

The East Oakland Pilot ended in Winter 2021. See below for the evaluation.

 

Other Program Applicants

If you applied for this program and were not randomly selected to receive a prepaid card this time, you have been placed on a waitlist. OakDOT staff will be in touch with you if a long-term program becomes available.

Other Means-Based Discount Programs for Transportation

Travel by transit, bike, and scooters is more affordable now than ever. If you typically qualify for discounts based on your income (like SNAP), then you may qualify for the mobility discounts below!

Name of Provider Discount Travel Mode
Clipper START 50% discount per trip on all Bay Area transit, including AC Transit and BART Public Transit
Bike Share for All Unlimited rides
$5 for the 1st year
$5/month after 1st year		 Bikeshare
Lime Access Discounted rides E-scooters
Veo Access Discounted rides E-scooters

Please email any questions about this program to parklandish@oaklandca.gov or call 510-238-6613.

Project made possible by: Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)

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