SmartPass

Overview

SmartPass provides eligible SJSU employees, Open University students, Special Session students, and International Gateways students with unlimited rides on VTA local buses, rapid buses, limited routes, and light rail.

SmartPass is only valid on VTA. It is not valid on ACE, Amtrak, BART, Caltrain, AC Transit, Highway 17 Express, Dumbarton Express, Monterey-Salinas Transit, SamTrans, or other non-VTA services. You may add cash value or other transit passes to your Clipper card to ride other transit agencies.

Current SJSU Students

Full-time and part-time SJSU students should use Clipper BayPass instead of SmartPass.

BayPass gives eligible students access to Bay Area transit agencies that accept Clipper, including VTA, BART, Caltrain, Muni, AC Transit, SamTrans, and participating ferry and bus services.

Learn about BayPass

Important Information

  • SmartPass is only valid on VTA service.
  • SmartPass cannot be added to a phone or mobile wallet.
  • Adding SmartPass to a phone may deactivate the pass.
  • All SmartPass fees are nonrefundable.
  • You will receive only one SmartPass Clipper card.
  • The card serial number is linked to your name and Tower Card number.
  • Transportation Solutions does not reimburse VTA fares paid because of SmartPass ineligibility, SmartPass misuse, or SmartPass malfunction.

Review the SmartPass replacement, defective card, and illegal use policies [pdf]

Employees

How to Get Your SmartPass

Eligible SJSU employees can pick up a SmartPass at the Associated Students General Services Center, located in the Diaz Compean Student Union, Room 1800.

Bring your Tower Card. SJSU employee badges or key cards are not accepted.

The cost is $25, plus $3 for the physical Clipper card.

Renewing Your SmartPass

Employees must renew their SmartPass each semester. To renew, visit the Associated Students General Services Center with your SmartPass Clipper card and Tower Card and pay the renewal fee.

  • Fall renewal deadline: last day of September
  • Spring renewal deadline: last day of February
  • No renewal is required during Summer or Winter sessions

If the renewal deadline falls on a day when Associated Students General Services is closed, the deadline is the next day General Services is open.

SmartPass cards that are not renewed by the deadline will be deactivated. Late renewal includes the regular renewal fee plus a late renewal fee. Reactivation may take 5-7 business days.

Renewing by Mail

If you are unable to renew in person, mail a check payable to Associated Students with a copy of your Tower Card and SmartPass Clipper card serial number to:

SJSU - AS Transportation Solutions  
Student Union Room 1800  
One Washington Square  
San José, CA 95192-0129

Open University and Special Session

Open University and Special Session students may be eligible for SmartPass after becoming members of Associated Students by paying the AS fee and meeting the program eligibility requirements.

How to Get Your SmartPass

  1. Bring your SJSU Tower ID Card and a photo ID to the Associated Students General Services cashier counter in the Diaz Compean Student Union, Room 1800.
  2. Pay the AS fee and the physical Clipper card fee. Staff will issue your SmartPass Clipper card.
  3. Take your receipt to the Tower Card Window in the Student Services Center, located on the first floor of the North Garage.
  4. Present your SmartPass Clipper card and AS fee receipt to apply for a Tower Card.

Renewing Your SmartPass

Open University and Special Session students must renew their SmartPass each semester by paying the AS fee.

  • Fall renewal deadline: last day of September
  • Spring renewal deadline: last day of February
  • No renewal is required during Summer or Winter sessions

Renewal notices are sent from transportation@sjsu.edu to the primary email address listed in MySJSU.

SmartPass cards that are not renewed by the deadline will be deactivated. Late renewal includes a late fee, and reactivation may take 5-7 business days.

You may opt out by not paying the renewal fee. To reactivate your SmartPass in a later semester, pay the AS fee again. Reactivation may take 5-7 business days.

International Gateways

International Gateways students who meet the eligibility criteria and have current enrollment may obtain a SmartPass.

1. Obtain your Tower Card during orientation.
2. Visit Associated Students General Services in the Diaz Compean Student Union, Room 1800, and present your Tower Card.

No payment is required for the physical SmartPass card for International Gateways students. Renewal fees do not apply, but replacement fees may apply.

How to Use SmartPass

Tag your SmartPass Clipper card on a Clipper reader each time you ride VTA.

VTA Bus

When boarding a bus, tag your SmartPass Clipper card on the Clipper reader. A green screen means your pass has been accepted.

VTA Light Rail

Before boarding light rail, tag your SmartPass Clipper card on the platform reader and wait for the green screen.

While riding, be prepared to show your SmartPass Clipper card and SJSU Tower Card if asked by a fare inspector.

If the VTA Clipper reader displays a December 31 date, you may ignore it. Your SmartPass remains active based on your eligibility and renewal status.

Regional Transit Riders

SmartPass can be used on VTA connections from San José Diridon Station, Berryessa/North San José BART, and other VTA stops serving SJSU.

If your trip includes a non-VTA service, such as ACE, Capitol Corridor, Highway 17 Express, Caltrain, BART, or Amtrak, review Other Transit Discounts and Regional Transit resources.

View Other Transit Discounts
View Regional Transit Resources

Need Help?

Contact Transportation Solutions if you have questions about SmartPass eligibility, renewal, replacement, or reactivation.