Caltrain's $1 youth fare produced roughly 355,000 trips from January through May 2026, a 26% increase over the same period last year, the transit agency reported July 10.

Broadway station in Burlingame, one stop north of San Mateo's downtown station, ranked among the five stations with the highest share of youth riders. The others are College Park, Belmont, Menlo Park, and Bayshore.

Weekend numbers stand out

About 32% of youth trips happen on weekends, nearly double the weekend rate for adult riders, according to Caltrain's report. Broadway operates on weekends only, which helps explain its high youth share. San Mateo's station, also in Zone 2, runs both weekday and weekend service and sits within walking distance of B Street and Third Avenue.

How the fare works

Caltrain launched the $1 one-way fare and $2 Day Pass for riders ages 5 to 18 in September 2024 after a successful pilot. By June 2025, monthly youth trips had topped 80,000, according to Caltrain's annual ridership report. By that September, youth ridership was four times higher than the year before.

Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said at the program's one-year mark in September 2025 that riders "are responding in record numbers" to the agency's faster, more frequent electric service.

The fare is locked in as an equity commitment through at least fiscal year 2030, according to Caltrain's adopted fare structure. Children 4 and younger ride free.

Seasonal surge expected

In 2025, youth ridership jumped 35% between spring and summer. Caltrain said it expects 2026 to be a record year for young riders.

Riders pay before boarding using a Clipper card, contactless bank card, digital wallet, or a ticket from station vending machines. No tickets are sold onboard.