Clipper
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 fully accepted on AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, and Dumbarton Express. It is also accepted for payment on Muni, BART, and Caltrain.
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 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.
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.
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 three 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.
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.
When boarding Golden Gate Transit buses with Clipper, the maximum fare available will be charged at the first tag. If you get off the bus where a lower zone fare is charged, you will need to tag again to receive a refund. For example, a $6.72 fare is charged at the first tag when boarding a SF bound bus in Petaluma. In San Rafael, tag again when you get off and receive a refund of $2.88. (Petaluma to San Rafael fare is $3.84)
When boarding Caltrain with Clipper, the maximum fare available will be charged at the first tag before you board the train. After you get off the train, you will need to tag again at the station to receive a refund. For example, a $11.25 fare will be charge when you board in San Francisco ($11.25 is the fare to Gilroy). After you get off in San Mateo, you tag again and receive a refund of $7. (SF to San Mateo fare is $4.25) If you decide not the take the train, tag off at the station within 15 minutes to receive a full refund.
