VTA SmartPass Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

VTA SmartPass Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the VTA SmartPass and how do I get one?

  The SmartPass Project is a partnership between De Anza College’s Associated Student Government (DASG) and Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA), which allows enrolled students at De Anza College the opportunity to enjoy unlimited rides on all VTA Buses and Light Rail for the duration of each quarter provided you are currently enrolled for the quarter. The VTA SmartPass is on a Clipper Card. The Clipper Card is a reloadable contactless smart card used for electronic transit fare payment in the San Francisco/San Jose Bay Area.

• How do I get a Clipper Card?

  You get your personalized Clipper Card from the Office of College Life located on the lower level of the Hinson Campus Center, Room # 157. You must be registered for classes to be eligible for the VTA SmartPass Clipper Card, and you need your De Anza College Student ID Number, and some form of original physical current Photo ID; copies or photos of your ID cannot be accepted (e.g. Driver's License, State ID Card, Passport, recent High School ID Card, etc.).

• Does it matter how many units I am taking?

  Yes, the number of units determines the amount you are charged for the VTA SmartPass.

  Also, if you are taking classes at both De Anza College and Foothill College you will be charged the fee at the college where you are enrolled in a greater number of units and you must go to that campus to get your VTA SmartPass Clipper Card. Once you have a Foothill-De Anza VTA SmartPass Clipper Card it remains valid for both campuses.

• How much is the VTA SmartPass?

  The amount of the VTA SmartPass Fee depends on number of enrolled units.

  • Part-time students with 0.5 to 5.9 units pay $5.75 per quarter
  • Part-time students with 6 to 11.9 units pay $6.75 per quarter
  • Full-time students with 12 or more units pay $7.75 per quarter

• Does it matter what type of classes I am taking?

  If you are taking any number of on-campus classes at De Anza or Foothill College you will be charged the VTA SmartPass Fee and will be eligible to get a VTA SmartPass Clipper Card.

  If you are only enrolled in fully online only classes and do not live in Santa Clara County, you will not be charged the VTA SmartPass fee and will not be eligible to get a VTA SmartPass Clipper Card.

• Does it matter where I live?

  If you live in Santa Clara County, even if you are only enrolled in fully online only classes, you will be charged the VTA SmartPass Fee and will be eligible to get a VTA SmartPass Clipper Card.

  If you do not live in Santa Clara County and are only enrolled in fully online only classes, you will not be charged the VTA SmartPass fee and will not be eligible to get a VTA SmartPass Clipper Card.

• Do I need to get a new Clipper Card each quarter?

  NO, UNLESS YOU SKIP A QUARTER FALL, WINTER, OR SPRING. KEEP THIS CARD, IT IS GOOD FOR MULTIPLE QUARTERS AND FOR LIFE BEYOND DE ANZA COLLEGE.  If you take fall, winter or spring quarter off, your VTA SmartPass will be disabled the third week of that quarter. You can take summer quarter off without your VTA SmartPass being disabled. Your Clipper Card should automatically get reactivated if you come back, but if it does not you will need to come in to get a new one.

• Do I need to come in to get a new VTA SmartPass each quarter?

  NO, this is the beauty of the VTA SmartPass being incorporated onto the Clipper Card. As long as you remain enrolled in classes the Clipper Card will automatically be updated for each quarter. If you take fall, winter or spring quarter off, your VTA SmartPass will be disabled the third week of that quarter. You can take summer quarter off without your VTA SmartPass being disabled. Your Clipper Card should automatically get reactivated if you come back, but if it does not you will need to come in to get a new one.

• Is there a grace period after the expiration date of the old VTA SmartPass?

  The VTA SmartPass is valid from the time you receive it until the third week of the upcoming quarter (it is valid through all of summer quarter).

  The VTA SmartPass is valid as long as you are a registered student at De Anza College  or Foothill College through the third week of the upcoming quarter and all of summer quarter.  It will remain active as long as you are a student.  If you take fall, winter or spring quarter off, your VTA SmartPass will be disabled the third week of that quarter. You can take summer quarter off without your VTA SmartPass being disabled. Your Clipper Card should automatically get reactivated if you come back, but if it does not you will need to come in to get a new one.

• Can I use the VTA SmartPass during recess periods between quarters?

  Yes, the VTA SmartPass is valid until the third week of the upcoming quarter (it is valid through all of summer quarter) and will stay active if you register for classes again.

• I have applied for financial aid and I am waiting for financial aid approval and/or disbursement. Can I get the VTA SmartPass?

  Yes, The VTA SmartPass is valid once you are registered for classes.

• Can I use the Clipper Card for other transit agencies?

  Yes, but only if you place additional value onto the Clipper Card.  No additional value is needed to ride the VTA bus system and light rail within Santa Clara County except Express services, but is required for other transit agencies (BART, CalTrain, Muni, etc.). For more information on adding funds or passes other than the VTA SmartPass please visit www.vta.org/go/fares/clipper or www.clippercard.com.

• Should I register my card with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)?

  Yes, it is HIGHLY recommended that you register your Clipper Card with the MTC, especially if you think you might add value and other passes besides the VTA SmartPass (BART, CalTrain, Muni, etc.). If you do not register your card and you lose it you will lose all non-SmartPass values you have placed on the card. To register go to www.clippercard.com and click on the "Register Card" link on the top of the page.  You will need to create an account.

• Can I convert my VTA SmartPass Clipper Card to a digital Clipper Card.

  No, do not transfer your VTA SmartPass Clipper Card to the Clipper Card app, Apple Wallet, or Google Pay/Wallet. It will disable your VTA SmartPass.

  You may still use the Clipper Card app to register your Clipper Card and manage it the same way you would at www.clippercard.com.

• I dropped all my classes. Is my VTA SmartPass still valid?

  No, once you drop all your classes and can get a refund your VTA SmartPass will be disabled the third week of the quarter.  DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CLIPPER CARD.  It is still valid for any other values you have added.  Your Clipper Card should automatically get reactivated if you come back, but if it does not you will need to come in to get a new one.

• I lost my card. How can I get a replacement?

  You will need to again come to the Office of College Life located on the lower level of the Hinson Campus Center, Room # 157. DO NOT CONTACT CLIPPER FOR A REPLACEMENT CARD; THEY CANNOT REPLACE A VTA SMARTPASS. There is a $3 replacement fee for the VTA SmartPass Clipper Card.  The Office of College Life will replace your Clipper Card and VTA SmartPass only, NOT ANY OTHER STORED VALUE.  Your original card will be disabled and your new card will be enabled.  The VTA allows for only one (1) replacement per academic year, however, exceptions may be made in some cases; please come to the office even if you have already received a replacement this academic year and we will do what we can to help you.

  -- If you had any other stored value (BART, Caltrain, Muni, etc.) and you did register your Clipper Card with the MTC you can go back to www.clippercard.com and report your original card as lost or stolen and register your new card.  Your old card will be disabled and the other stored value will then be transferred to the new one.

  -- If you had any other stored value (BART, Caltrain, Muni, etc.) and you did NOT register your Clipper Card with the MTC then, you will need to come to the Office of College Life to get your old Clipper Card number. You will then need to contact Clipper to see if they can manually transfer everything from your old card to your new card. They cannot transfer a VTA SmartPass. You need to first get a replacement VTA SmartPass Clipper Card from the Office of College Life.

• May I give away or sell my VTA SmartPass since I don't ride VTA?

  ABSOLUTELY NOT. THE VTA SMARTPASS IS NOT TRANSFERABLE. It is a violation of California Penal Code 640 (punishable by a fine of up to $250 and/or community service) if you give away or sell your VTA SmartPass, or accept a VTA SmartPass from another student. The College will report any solicitation of sale or transfer of the VTA SmartPass to law enforcement authorities. Students in violation may be liable for the amount equal to the cost of a VTA Adult Express Annual Pass (approximately $1500) and other violations and disciplinary actions as provided in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s Student Code of Conduct AP (5510) and Student Due Process and Discipline (AP 5520) including possible suspension or expulsion from the college. All VTA SmartPass holders shall be subject to VTA’s fare inspection regulations. Misuse will result in confiscation by VTA authorized personnel.