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Clipper logo

Overview

Why is the payment card called Clipper?

Named for the clipper ships whose speed revolutionized travel from the East Coast to the West Coast during the California Gold Rush Era. The Clipper card gives customers quick access to all major forms of Bay Area transit with one easy-to-use reloadable card.

Which transit agencies accept the Clipper card?

Muni, BART, AC Transit, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, VTA and SamTrans. Eventually, all Bay Area Transit agencies will accept these cards.

Muni Faregates and Ticket Vending Machines

Muni Faregates and Ticket Vending Machines were installed in Metro Subway stations

  • Muni Faregates
    • Will not accept cash.  Cash customers may purchase a Clipper card with fare or a Muni Ticket single or round trip ticket.
    • Temporary magnetic swipe readers were installed on the new faregates for customers still using a paper monthly pass
  • Muni Ticket Vending Machines
    • Accept cash and credit/debit cards
    • Reload and check balance of Clipper cards
    • Dispense Adult fare Clipper card
    • Dispense Limited use Adult and Discounted fare Muni Tickets (single or round trip fares only)
  • Muni Tickets
    • Good on Muni only
    • Reloadable and good for up to 90 days from date of purchase.  
    • Muni Tickets are available for purchase and reload ONLY at the Muni Ticket Vending Machine.

Fare Media Transition

Customers must have a Clipper card. Monthly passes will no longer be printed on paper.  Passes must be loaded on a reloadable Clipper card.  The timeline for transitioning paper passes to Clipper follows:

  • October 2010 was the last month for the RTC Sticker and paper Adult “A” Fast Pass.
  • March 2011 was the last month for the paper Adult “M” Fast Pass.
  • May 2011 is the last month for the paper Senior and Youth Passes

Monthly passes, loaded on the Clipper card, will continue to work as paper passes do now.  This includes the three-day grace period.

The “L” or Lifeline Pass is not available on the Clipper card. Lifeline pass customers must keep using their paper pass until further notice.

If paying with cash value from the Clipper card, a 90-minute Muni transfer will be automatically applied.  Customers do not need a paper transfer.

Customers are allowed to ride without cash payment if the Clipper reader is malfunctioning; however, transfers will not be issued.

Customers will be asked to pay cash if their Clipper card is malfunctioning or there is no value on the card.

Explore Clipper:

 

Explore:

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For Muni route, schedule, fare and accessible services information anytime: Visit www.sfmta.com or call 311.

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Muni transit services are operated by the Transit Division of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Copyright © 2000-2012 SFMTA. All rights reserved. Updated February 8, 2012

Clipper is a registered trademark of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.