BART to begin transitioning to Clipper-only stations as part of efforts to phase out paper tickets
BART is expanding the number of stations where the only fare product available for purchase from a BART ticket machine is the reusable, reloadable, and regionally accepted Clipper card. BART is rolling out a pilot program to eliminate the sale of paper magstripe tickets at the following 4 stations this summer with systemwide expansion expected in 2020:
- 19th Street on August 5
- Embarcadero on August 19
- Powell Street on September 3
- Downtown Berkeley on September 24
While magstripe paper tickets will no longer be available for purchase at these stations, riders will still be able to use paper tickets to enter or exit through fare gates. Riders will also be able to add enough fare to a paper ticket to exit a station using add fare machines located inside the paid area of each station.
The BART to Antioch stations Pittsburg Center Station and Antioch Station never had vending machines that dispense paper tickets. They opened in May 2018 with machines that dispense Clipper cards only.
BART is working to move toward a Clipper-only fare payment system because the region has prioritized the use of Clipper as the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Clipper has many advantages over paper tickets:
- Clipper saves money. Adult paper tickets have a 50 cents surcharge on every trip, which equals $1.00 per round trip. With a one-time acquisition fee of $3.00 for a Clipper card, it pays for itself in just 3 roundtrips.
- In addition to the 50-cent per trip savings on BART, customers who use Clipper also pay less on Muni, Golden Gate Transit buses and ferries, San Francisco Bay Ferry, AC Transit and Caltrain.
- Clipper is tourist-friendly as it offers discounts on various transit agencies while eliminating the need to purchase and carry multiple fare products from different agencies.
- Clipper is reusable and long-lasting, unlike paper tickets that get worn and tattered.
- Clipper is accepted by nearly all transit agencies in the region. Many other agencies offer discounted fares when using Clipper.
- Riders can set up their Clipper card account to reload automatically so they won’t have to wait in line.
- The loaded value on the Clipper card is secure when it’s registered. If you lose the card, the balance can be replaced for a nominal fee.
- Your Clipper card can be linked to your BART EZ Rider parking account for a fast and easy way to pay for BART parking. Once you have Clipper, go to https://ezrider.bart.gov/ezrider/ and follow the instructions to link the card to our parking program and then simply tap your Clipper at parking validation machines.
- The tag in and out system allows Clipper card users to move through fare gates faster.
- Clipper cards can be purchased at every BART station and at many retail outlets throughout the region.
- Paper tickets can jam our fare gates, so Clipper usage means more open fare gates, shorter lines and less fare gate maintenance.
- Clipper usage reduces the paper waste of the magstripe tickets in the BART system.
In-Station Clipper Outreach
Clipper and BART will have staff available on-site for the first three days of each station’s pilot program launch to answer questions, help customers with Clipper card purchases, and hand out FREE Clipper cards
Customers can use Clipper anonymously. Clipper cards do not require registration. Registration is required for added benefits such as discounts, autoload and balance protection.
To get Clipper online, find in-person locations, or details about obtaining a discount card for Senior/Disabled or Youth 18 and under, please go to www.clippercard.com
For more information, visit bart.gov/clipper
If you have questions, comments or concerns about BART's Clipper-only sales pilot program, please click here.
Updated 6/28/19 with new dates/locations