Clipper and Pay by Phone (2024)

Paying Your Fare

Riders pay for BART with Clipper,the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card that is alsoaccepted on other transit systems in the region. Tag Clipper at the fare gate when entering an exiting a station.

We are encouragingridersto put a Clipper card on their mobile phones instead of obtaining plastic Clipper cards because global supply chain issues have depleted the inventory of plastic cards.

If you need a new Clipper card, save $3 dollars and use Clipper with Apple Pay and Google Pay on your phone or Apple Watch.

Children 4 and under ride free but everyone else must have aClipper card (a plastic card or in your digital wallet).

Proof of payment is required.

Fares are based on distance traveled. Weekly and monthly passes are not available.To find the cost of a particular BART trip, use the BART Fare Calculator.

We offer a variety of discounts as outlined here. There are no discounts available at the BART vending machines.All discounts are set up in advance through Clipper. A little work up front helps you save money.

Pay By Phone

Clipper is now available throughApple Pay and Google Pay.For limited time, riders can get a new Clipper card on their phones for free (normally $3). Funds added using Apple Pay and Google Pay areimmediately available for use.

Set up is easy and can be done on the spot or in advance while you are at home.Every rider needs their own digital card (multiple cards can be added toa phone's digital wallet, if you need to use multiple cards, turn off express mode).

Apple Pay

Requires iPhone 8/Apple Watch Series 3 or later.

1. Open the Wallet app and press the plus “+” icon
2. Select Transit Card
3. Select “Clipper card” from the list
4. Add funds

Google Pay

Requires Android 5 or later.

1. Open the Google Pay app, scroll down until you see the “Discover” section
2. Click the “Ride Transit” link
3. Click on “San Francisco, CA – Clipper”
4. Add funds

Hold your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone near the round Clipper reader on our fare gatesuntil you get an "OK" message on the fare gate. This might take a few seconds.

For Android phones, you may need the move your phone around.

For iPhones, theantenna is in the top third of the phone.

For more detailed step-by-step instructions on how to add a new Clipper card to your phone, please go to Clipper's Apple Paypage orGoogle Paypage for more information.

Clipper Vending Machines

All stations have Clipper vending machines. Funds are immediately available when added using a vending machine at BART.

There is a one-time $3 fee to purchase a plastic Clipper card from a BART station vending machine.

Vending machinesaccept all U.S. coins and dollar bills (excluding $50 and $100 bills). Select machines accept credit and debit cards. Some purchasing limits applyas outlined on our sales page.

Clipper Customer Support

While Clipper is used to pay for BART, it is not a BART product. Clipper isadministered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Clipper account access including checkingyour balance can be found on the Clipper website.

Contact Clipper Customer Services, not BART,with questions or issues with your Clipper card.

Excursion Fare

The excursion fareis $6.40 for Clipper and $6.90 for paper tickets. It is charged for those who enter a station, ride a train, and then exit the same station. If you enter a station and change your mind, seea station agent before exiting to avoid the excursion fare. If an agent isn't available and you didn't ride BART because of a service delay, contact Clipper Customer Services for a refund. BART has asked the Clipper vendor to implement a grace period. This will become available with the next generation of Clipper.

How to Use Clipper

If you are using a Clipper card (both with plastic card or on your iOS or Android smart device): When you get to the fare gate, you simply need to “tag and go” to pay for your ride. The correct fare will be automatically deducted.

Exiting the Station

If you ride BART but lack enough stored fareto exit the station, the fare gate will read “UNDERPAID: GO TO ADDFARE.” Addfare machines are located inside the paid area and take cash, credit, and debit. You can add any value to your Clipper card at these machines. If you don’t have enough cash to add the minimum balance to exit the station, please speak with the Station Agent for access to the free area to add value.

Clipper Discounts

BART fares are set with a mileage-based formula, therefore time-based passes (e.g., weekly or monthly) are not available.

Proof of eligibility is required for discountClipper cards and tickets and therefore are not available at station vending machines.

Both discount and regular Clipper cards can be ordered and managed online.

-Sign up for Clipper
-Access Clipper Account
-Clipper Customer Service

Youth & Senior Discount

Youth 5-18 years old get 50% off with a youth Clipper card. Seniors age 65 and over get62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card.

Youth and Senior Clipper cards can be obtained by mail or there are multiple locations across the Bay Area where you can apply and immediately receivea Youth or Senior card (on the Clipper discountswebsite select "Staffed Locations" under "Location Type" for Youth and Senior card services).

Applicants will need to bring documentation verifying age eligibility (for example: driver’s license, photo ID card or birth certificate).

Low-Income Discount

BART isparticipating in the new Clipper START means-based fare pilot program, which is administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The programgives qualifying adult riders a 20% discount on BART trips (50% beginning 1/1/24). Learn more about Clipper START and how to apply here.

Persons with Disabilities

The RTC Clipper card is a version of Clipper created for passengers under 65with qualifying disabilities to provide 62.5% off.The RTC Clipper card is a photo identification card. You must apply for an RTC Clipper card in person at a participating transit agency.

High-value Discount (HVD)

For single rides, adult Clipper cardsget a 6.25% discount on cash value rides by buying $48 worth of value for $45 or $64 worth of value for $60. HVD applies only to BART rides.You can only purchase an HVD ticket online by setting up Autoload or through a transit benefit program.In your Clipper account, select"Add Value" and select“Transit Pass” then “BART” and then the amountof HVD you want.

BART/Muni Adult "A" Fast Pass®

The "A" Fast Pass isavailable on the Clipper card and is valid for a calendar month and lets you take unlimited rides on SFMTA/Muni vehicles and BARTbetween the Embarcadero station to Balboa Park station in San Francisco. BART trips outside Embarcadero station to Balboa Park station in San Franciscoare charged full fare.

Group Sales

Visit our Sales page for information about purchasing Group Tickets or School Sponsored Field Trip tickets.

Paper Tickets No Longer Sold or Accepted at Fare Gates

BART stopped accepting paper tickets on November 30, 2023 to make way for new state of the art fare gates which will not accept paper tickets and as Clipper prepares for the launch of the next generation of Clipper.

Paper tickets balances cannot be transferred onto a Clipper card. BART offers paper ticket refunds for tickets with a remaining value greater than $1.00. Click here for directions torequest a refund.

Need help?

BART Customer Service is available to help riders with inquiries over the phone at (510)464-7133or in person atLake Merritt Station (concourse level).