How Oakland residents can qualify for a free $160 transit debit card

( KRON ) — After a successful “Universal Basic Mobility” launch in East Oakland, the city will start giving eligible residents transit debit cards in West Oakland.

The city says these debit cards-which give residents access to “BART, AC Transit, BayWheels bike share, Lime and VeoRide E-scooters, Amtrak and other forms of public transportation”-will give out up to $160 that can be loaded to a Clipper card, all in exchange of taking a survey.

“Too many West Oakland residents struggle to afford their transportation costs. This innovative project will help 1,000 low-income West Oaklanders afford sustainable modes of transit,”  said OakDOT Department Director Josh Rowan.

Oakland says any resident earning less than the “area median income” of $103,500 is eligible. Those in households of up to eight people must earn under $192,250.

The 1,000 cards will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. West Oakland residents can take this survey and earn $160. After using the $160, “participants can take a second survey to have another $160 loaded onto their cards for a total of $320.”

Participants will be asked to take a “before” and “after” survey about their transportation patterns. Transportation officials said these debit cards will only be allowed to be loaded onto Clipper cards.

The program is part of a “Universal Basic Mobility” program, which, according to the city, “The results of that project showed that 40% of participants changed the way they traveled as a result of the program, with 23% driving alone less.”

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