Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624
The San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA) is increasing the benefit amount available to participants in the Community Transportation Benefits Program with the aim to provide more support to lower-income community members in meeting their personal mobility needs.
The current program provides a $100 transit credit on a Clipper Card or a $100 toll credit on a FasTrak® transponder for qualifying individuals in San Mateo County. Beginning July 31, that amount will be doubled to $200 for new or renewing participants. If current participants have already received a $100 Clipper Card within the past year, they may receive an additional $100 Clipper Card. If a participant has previously received a $100 FasTrak®, they are eligible to pick up a $200 transponder if their previous $100 transponder has been fully depleted.
The program welcomes individuals who live in San Mateo County, who are 18 years or older and are earning an individual income at or below $82,260 this year. SMCEL-JPA is pleased to continue partnering with the San Mateo County Core Agencies Network to administer the program. Eligible individuals may enroll in-person at the agencies listed below:
- Daly City Community Service Center
- Samaritan House
- Puente De La Costa Sur
- Samaritan House South
- Coastside Hope
- Pacifica Resource Center
- Fair Oaks Community Center
- YMCA Community Resource Center
If an applicant already qualifies for at least one benefit provided through the San Mateo County Core Agencies Network, they are automatically eligible for this Program. More details are provided at the program website.
After conducting extensive outreach to program participants and other community members as part of the evaluation of the first year of the program, SMCEL-JPA is building on its early success by actively listening to feedback received and immediately responding by providing a $100 benefit increase.
“SMCEL-JPA is thrilled to double the benefit amount to $200 and provide critical transportation support to the San Mateo County community,” said SMCEL-JPA Board Chair Rico E. Medina. “We are eager to spread the word that SMCEL-JPA is creating more affordable travel opportunities on transit and in the 101 Express Lanes, and we want those who qualify to make the most of this innovative program.”
In early 2025, SMCEL-JPA will launch the next generation of the program which will offer even greater flexibility by providing the $200 benefit on a mobility debit card, rather than preloaded on a FasTrak® transponder or Clipper Card, and adding an online enrollment option.
The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes are comprised of 22 miles of express lanes in each direction on US 101 from the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County Line to I-380 in South San Francisco.
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About SMCEL-JPA: The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo (C/CAG) formed SMCEL-JPA in 2019, to manage the express lanes. SMCEL-JPA is responsible for setting policies for operations of the express lanes.