BayPass Information

All Aboard for BayPass 2025!

BayPass is almost here!

The BayPass Referendum was overwhelmingly approved in the 2025 ASUC Elections with 90% “Yes” votes. We are all very excited to bring unlimited fare-free public transit to UC Berkeley's student body! 

What does this mean for you? 

  • By August 20th 2025 UC Berkeley Students will have fare-free public transit across all nine Bay Area counties
  • Tap on to ride 24 different bus, rail, and ferry services including AC Transit and BART without paying a fare

Learn about your new transport options and find steps for getting your BayPass activated below.

Join the BayPass Committee

What is BayPass?

Clipper BayPass is an all-access transit pass from MTC!

Students pay a transit fee each year and ride all bus, rail, and ferry services in the nine-county Bay Area region that accept Clipper without paying fares. Simply tap and go like you would using any other Clipper card. More information can be found on their Clipper Program Page.

Using Your BayPass

Step One: Download the Clipper App 

Register your Clipper Card on the app so you can see your passes and trips!

  • Your BayPass will show up as a "Muni Events Pass" 
  • You can convert your Clipper Card to a virtual card, but once you have done this you cannot change it back. 

Clipper App

Step 3: Join the Let's Ride! Scavenger Hunt

Use your BayPass to explore all the great places to go in the Bay Area!

  • Complete a route and win up to $150 in prizes! 
  • Find new places to go with unlimited fare-free transit options

Step Two: Download the Transit App

Transit App is the Offical UC Berkeley Trip and Transit planner 

  • It gives you real-time updates as well as announcements and alerts
  • All students qualify for Free Transit Royale. Download and verify your berkeley.edu email to get started

Transit App

Let's Ride! Scavenger Hunt

Frequently Asked Questions:

How Do I Get My BayPass?

If you are an eligible UC Berkeley student, your BayPass is automatically loaded to your Clipper Card each semester, beginning one week before through one week after the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. Spring enrollees can also use the BayPass throughout the summer.

  • New Students: You will receive a Clipper Card as part of your orientation package (or from your program department). Your BayPass will be pre-activated, so you can start using it immediately. 

  • Continuing Students: You do not need a new Clipper Card. Starting August 20th, 2025 simply tap your existing card on a Clipper Reader on any AC Transit bus; the BayPass will automatically load. 

Who Gets Access to BayPass?

All undergraduate and graduate students who pay the mandatory transportation fee each semester have access to the BayPass. If you are unsure if you qualify, check to see if you have paid your fees on Cal Central. 

Please note that the following programs do not pay this fee and therefore do not qualify for BayPass:

  • MICS (Master of Information and Cybersecurity)

  • MIDS (Master of Information and Data Science) – includes 5th-year participants; undergraduates remain eligible

  • MASIC (Master of Advanced Study in Integrated Circuits)

  • OOMPH (Online Master of Public Health)

  • Hybrid-LLM (Master of Laws)

  • MSSE (Master of Molecular Science and Software)

What do I do if my BayPass isn't working? 

1. Check to see if your Pass is loaded onto your Clipper card. Download the Clipper App, register the card, and check for the "Muni Events Pass" on your card

2. If your Clipper Card doesn't say "Muni Events Pass" check today's date: your card will be activated by 8/20 when the school year starts

3. If your BayPass isn't loaded on your Clipper card by 8/20, please email us at prktrans@berkeley.edu

How Much Does It Cost?

Each student pays $229 in transit fees per semester. The breakdown is:

  • $124 for the BayPass (does not include AC Transit)

  • $48 for the AC Transit Student EasyPass

  • $22 for Bear Transit

  • $35 for the campus fee mandate supporting financial aid 

What do I do if I lose my Clipper Card?

  • Bring your Cal 1 Card to our office to purchase a replacement Student Clipper Card. 
  • Pay A $25.00 card replacement fee (payable with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash, or check)

This fee is waived for:

  1. Stolen Student Clipper Cards if you've reported the theft to a law enforcement agency and upon presentation of the report case number
  2. Damaged or non-functioning Student Clipper Cards upon surrender of the damaged Clipper Card or verification of non-functioning digital wallet.