Difference between revisions of "Clipper"
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| − | Clipper cards are accepted on [[AC Transit]], [[Golden Gate Transit]] and [[Golden Gate Ferry|Ferry]], [[Dumbarton Express]], [[Muni]], [[BART]], [[Caltrain]], and [[ | + | Clipper cards are accepted on [[AC Transit]], [[Golden Gate Transit]] and [[Golden Gate Ferry|Ferry]], [[Dumbarton Express]], [[Muni]], [[BART]], [[Caltrain]], [[SamTrans]], and [[VTA]]. |
| − | On June 16, 2010, Clipper was renamed from TransLink. Translink readers were re-branded and new cards will carry a Clipper logo, but all the existing TransLink cards will continue to work | + | On June 16, 2010, Clipper was renamed from TransLink. Translink readers were re-branded and new cards will carry a Clipper logo, but all the existing TransLink cards will continue to work. |
[[File:Translinkcard.png|thumb|none|200px|Old TransLink cards will continue to work.]] | [[File:Translinkcard.png|thumb|none|200px|Old TransLink cards will continue to work.]] | ||
==Card features== | ==Card features== | ||
| − | * Riders can use the same card to transfer between different operators | + | * Riders can use the same card to transfer between different operators. |
| − | * No exact change needed when boarding buses | + | * No exact change needed when boarding buses. |
| − | * Transfer discounts apply automatically | + | * Transfer discounts and fare upgrades apply automatically. |
| − | * Rider can still ride if the value on the card is less than the fare charged (Rider has to add value and pay for the negative balance before the next ride) | + | * Rider can still ride if the value on the card is less than the fare charged (Rider has to add value and pay for the negative balance before the next ride). |
| − | * If the card is registered, the owner can restore balance in the event of loss, theft, or damage | + | * If the card is registered, the owner can restore balance in the event of loss, theft, or damage. |
==Card drawbacks== | ==Card drawbacks== | ||
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* E-cash on the card cannot be converted into passes or BART values. | * E-cash on the card cannot be converted into passes or BART values. | ||
* Youth and seniors need to register in advance to receive a youth or senior Clipper card. Youth and senior fares cannot be paid with a regular Clipper card. | * Youth and seniors need to register in advance to receive a youth or senior Clipper card. Youth and senior fares cannot be paid with a regular Clipper card. | ||
| + | * Values and passes ordered online or over the phone can take as long as 5 days to be loaded. | ||
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| + | ==How to pay with the card== | ||
| + | Simply tag the card on the Clipper logo appearing on every Clipper reader and hold it for a beep. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Clipperreader.jpg|At station (Caltrain, VTA, Golden Gate Ferry) | ||
| + | file:Muninewgates.jpg|Fare gates (Muni Metro, BART) | ||
| + | File:Clipperreaderonboard.jpg|Onboard vehicles (buses, Muni Metro) | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | While most systems only require a single tag before or upon boarding, [[Golden Gate Transit fares#Value card and Clipper|Golden Gate Transit]] and [[Caltrain fares#Clipper|Caltrain]] (they don't have fare gates) implement a policy that requires a second tag when or after getting off the vehicle. | ||
==Where to get cards== | ==Where to get cards== | ||
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* Set up Autoload, where values are automatically added from your bank account or credit card whenever the value on the card has dropped below $10 or when the pass is about to expire. | * Set up Autoload, where values are automatically added from your bank account or credit card whenever the value on the card has dropped below $10 or when the pass is about to expire. | ||
| − | If you choose to add value through the web site, it would take up to | + | If you choose to add value through the web site, it would take up to five days for the values to show up on the reader (basically the system has to transmit your payment information to readers on vehicles and at stations, as the system has no other means of updating your card directly). If you want to use your values immediately, you will need to add value through retail outlets (like Walgreens), transit offices, or add value machines. |
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[[Category:Fares]] | [[Category:Fares]] | ||
[[Category:Smart card systems]] | [[Category:Smart card systems]] | ||
Revision as of 03:48, 17 February 2011
Clipper is a smart card fare-payment system for the Bay Area. As a smart card system, Clipper cards are capable to store e-cash, passes, and other forms of tickets (depending on agency).
Clipper cards are accepted on AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, Dumbarton Express, Muni, BART, Caltrain, SamTrans, and VTA.
On June 16, 2010, Clipper was renamed from TransLink. Translink readers were re-branded and new cards will carry a Clipper logo, but all the existing TransLink cards will continue to work.
Contents
Card features
- Riders can use the same card to transfer between different operators.
- No exact change needed when boarding buses.
- Transfer discounts and fare upgrades apply automatically.
- Rider can still ride if the value on the card is less than the fare charged (Rider has to add value and pay for the negative balance before the next ride).
- If the card is registered, the owner can restore balance in the event of loss, theft, or damage.
Card drawbacks
- Card costs $5 unless it is ordered online with Autoload (Now free as a part of promotion)
- Two people cannot use the same card
- If the card is not working (not the reader), the rider must pay cash fare
- Most transit centers do not have add-value machines
- Card does not provide inter-agency transfer privileges to agencies that have yet to accept Clipper.
- E-cash on the card cannot be converted into passes or BART values.
- Youth and seniors need to register in advance to receive a youth or senior Clipper card. Youth and senior fares cannot be paid with a regular Clipper card.
- Values and passes ordered online or over the phone can take as long as 5 days to be loaded.
How to pay with the card
Simply tag the card on the Clipper logo appearing on every Clipper reader and hold it for a beep.
At station (Caltrain, VTA, Golden Gate Ferry)
Fare gates (Muni Metro, BART)
Onboard vehicles (buses, Muni Metro)
While most systems only require a single tag before or upon boarding, Golden Gate Transit and Caltrain (they don't have fare gates) implement a policy that requires a second tag when or after getting off the vehicle.
Where to get cards
- Online
- Retail locations
- AC Transit and Golden Gate Transit offices/customer service center
- Selected retail locations
- Most Walgreens in the AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, and Muni areas.
- New Muni ticket machines at underground Muni Metro stations (including 4 downtown SF BART stations).
Clipper card generally costs $5, but is currently free as part of program promotion.
For youth and senior riders, special Clipper cards are necessary to pay youth/senior fares or load youth/senior passes. To obtain these cards, you will need to submit an application to these transit offices in person. Documentation proving eligibility is also required.
How to add value
Regardless of where you get the card, you can always add value to your card through:
- Online
- Retail locations
- Clipper Add Value machines
- New Muni ticket machines at underground Muni Metro stations (including 4 downtown SF BART stations).
- Set up Autoload, where values are automatically added from your bank account or credit card whenever the value on the card has dropped below $10 or when the pass is about to expire.
If you choose to add value through the web site, it would take up to five days for the values to show up on the reader (basically the system has to transmit your payment information to readers on vehicles and at stations, as the system has no other means of updating your card directly). If you want to use your values immediately, you will need to add value through retail outlets (like Walgreens), transit offices, or add value machines.
