Palo Alto Link ends service Friday, Oct. 30, and the city is directing riders to other transportation programs with different eligibility requirements.

The on-demand pilot served most of Palo Alto on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its final service day is Oct. 30, according to the city’s transition page.

The city says it began expanding alternatives Oct. 1 through the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association, or PATMA. Those programs include free transit passes, refurbished bicycles and accessible rides for qualifying residents and workers.

Accessible rides

PATMA’s accessible-ride program serves Palo Alto residents 65 and older, or residents with disabilities 50 and older.

Eligible residents must register before requesting free door-to-door rides. Listed trip purposes include medical appointments, grocery shopping, social activities, work and volunteering.

The city identifies Avenidas as its partner for rides within Palo Alto and Stanford.

Transit passes and bicycles

PATMA’s transit-pass program offers qualifying Palo Alto residents and workers passes for Caltrain, VTA, SamTrans or AC Transit’s Dumbarton Express.

Applicants must meet income requirements and commit to commuting by transit at least three days a week. Additional restrictions apply, and monthly renewals depend on funding availability.

The refurbished-bicycle program is intended for eligible residents and workers who currently drive alone to work and want to commute by bicycle. PATMA lists limited availability.

Other transportation options

The city’s transition page also links to Stanford’s Marguerite shuttle, veterans’ transportation, SamTrans Redi-Wheels and VTA ACCESS.

VTA ACCESS serves eligible people whose disabilities prevent them from using conventional bus or light rail service. Riders must complete an eligibility certification process; age, income or a disability diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility.

Residents can review applications through PATMA’s website or contact the organization at [email protected].

Palo Alto Link launched March 7, 2023, with grant funding. The city says grants and a Stanford Research Park partnership helped extend the pilot through Oct. 30.