Commuters

Find a Better Commute and Get Rewarded
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CommuteStar
A simple white outline drawing of a bicycle on a transparent or light background, perfect for illustrating rewards for commuters who choose eco-friendly travel.

Bicycling
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Carpool Vanpool
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Transit
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Guaranteed Ride Home
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Plan My Commute

CommuteStar

CommuteStar is a free app and web tool that empowers commuters to plan and track sustainable commute options. By creating an account you can unlock rewards, participate in challenges, and see the positive impact of your commute with personalized stats.

CommuteStar Store – Earn Points for Tracking Your Trips 

  • Track your trips to and from San Mateo County using sustainable modes and earn 1 point per day in the CommuteStar Store.  
  • Earn points and redeem for raffle entries to win e-gift cards, a swag box, or a donation to a nonprofit (see supported organizations). Points expire at the end of each calendar year. 

Seasonal Challenges – Earn Entries for $100 Prize Drawings 

  • Join special challenges throughout the year (see calendar here) for more chances to win e-gift cards and other prizes by logging eligible commute trips in CommuteStar. 

Learn More about CommuteStar

Smartphone displaying the CommuteStar app with commute options and achievements, highlighting commute alternatives for San Mateo County commuters. Surrounding images show people biking, riding transit, and carpooling. A notification reads “You’ve Won!” with celebratory icons.
CommuteStar Web Login

Bicycling

Bicycling is an efficient, low-cost commute alternative that relieves traffic congestion, reduces air pollution, and improves health and road safety. People who bicycle to or from work or college in San Mateo County can receive up to $100 in e-gift card rewards per year!   

Two ways to participate:  

  1. Sign in to the CommuteStar App 
  2. Use “Record” on the CommuteStar app to live track your bicycle trip OR connect your CommuteStar account with Strava account and track trips through Strava 
  3. Redeem rewards after 10 recorded days. 1 bicycle day = 1 point. Collect 10 points to earn $25 e-gift card, up to 4 times per year ($100 total). 

👉 CommuteStar App | Program Rules & FAQs 

Bicycling Resources:

Smiling cyclist wearing a helmet and sunglasses rides on a bridge; graphic text reads “$100 Bike Reward” with the Commute.org logo below, promoting commute alternatives for San Mateo County commuters.

Carpool and Vanpool

Carpooling and vanpooling save time and money on fuel and maintenance, while reducing traffic, parking demand, and emissions. Commuters who carpool or vanpool to work or college in San Mateo County can also receive up to $100 in e-gift card rewards per year. 

How to participate in Carpool or Vanpool Rewards: 

  1. Sign in to the CommuteStar App 
  2. Use ‘Record’ to live track your carpool or vanpool  
  3. Add partner(s) to trip: at least one partner for carpool and at least two partners for vanpool
  4. Redeem rewards after 10 recorded days. 1 carpool or vanpool day = 1 point. Collect 10 points to earn $25, up to 4 times a year ($100 total).  

👉CommuteStar App | Carpool Rules & FAQ | Vanpool Rules & FAQs 

Vanpool Subsidy 

New vanpools (formed on or after July 1, 2025) that rent a vehicle through Commute with Enterprise may qualify for up to $500 in monthly subsidies under the San Mateo County Vanpool Subsidy Program. 

Carpooling and Vanpooling Resources

Three people smile and talk inside a car. Overlay text reads, “$100 Carpool & Vanpool Reward.” Commute.org logo and website appear at the bottom, highlighting commute alternatives for San Mateo County commuters. Blue and yellow semicircle shapes are in the background.

Transit

Commuters have a variety of transit options available to them in San Mateo County. Using public transit allows you to enjoy a relaxing ride and prepare for the work day ahead stress-free while reducing traffic and emissions.

Try Transit 

If you’re new to using public transit and live, work, or attend college in San Mateo County, get a $25 Clipper Card to try it out! 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Must be 18+ & work, live, or attend college in San Mateo County 
  • Not currently using public transit or own a Clipper Card 
  • Limited to 1 per person. (Maximum of 2 per household) 

👉 Try Transit Program Rules & FAQs 

Try Transit Application Online Form 

Transit Resources 

Fares vary by transit agency, so use Clipper card as a convenient payment option. Clipper offers several discount programs.

A smiling man with glasses stands on a bus holding a phone and a handrail. Text promotes a $25 Clipper Card for the Try Transit Program, sponsored by Commute.org, encouraging commute alternatives for San Mateo County commuters.

Guaranteed Ride Home

The Guaranteed Ride Home program reimburses the cost of your ride home during emergencies, illnesses, or other qualifying events. 

How It Works:  

  • Commute to a workplace or college in San Mateo County using a sustainable mode and track your trips in CommuteStar.
  • Take public transit, ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft/Waymo), car share, or taxi for your emergency trip home, from your workplace or college. Earn a $5 bonus for using public transit!  
  • Reimbursements are capped at $60 per trip (max 4 trips per calendar year; gratuities excluded).  

Reimbursement Options:  

  • PayPal or e-gift card (Visa, Uber credit, or over 80 retailer options).  

👉CommuteStar App |  Program Rules & FAQs 

Submit a GRH Reimbursement Request  

Don’t work or attend college in San Mateo County? Learn more here about the Guaranteed Ride Home Program in the county where you work.

A person hails a ride on a city street with text promoting Commute.org’s Guaranteed Ride Home program for sustainable commuting, highlighting commute alternatives for San Mateo County commuters. A blue and yellow graphic logo appears in the background.

Plan My Commute

We offer recommendations based on your work schedule, commitments before and after work, and other factors that are important to you. Fill out the questionnaire below to tell us about your commute and we’ll respond with your personalized plan.

Commute Planning Questionnaire

Commuter Newsletter

Sign up for our e-newsletter to get news about our programs and events delivered to your inbox each month.