Riding with Clipper
Tag your card when you enter and tag off when you exit.
Tip: Just visiting the Bay Area? Learn how to get and use Clipper.
Paying with Clipper
BART accepts the following on a Clipper card:
-
Cash value: For single rides. Clipper customers get discounts on one-way fares of 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for youth and 19 cents for senior and disabled riders. You need a cash value balance of at least $2.10 on an adult card, $1.05 on a Youth Clipper card and 75 cents on a Senior or RTC Clipper card.
-
High-value discount (HVD) ticket: For single rides. Adults get a 6.25% discount on cash value rides by buying $48 worth of value for $45 or $64 worth of value for $60. You can only purchase an HVD ticket by setting up Autoload or through a transit benefit program. You need a cash value balance of at least $0 on your card to enter BART with a valid HVD ticket.
-
Muni “A” Adult Fast Pass: Unlimited rides between the Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, 16th Street/Mission, 24th Street/Mission, Glen Park and Balboa Park stations for one calendar month. Trips outside of San Francisco are charged the full fare. Available for sale from the 17th of the previous month through the 16th of the valid month. You need a cash value balance of at least $0 on your card to enter BART in San Francisco with a valid Muni pass.
Tip: You can use your Clipper card to validate parking at BART.Opens in new window
Transferring with Clipper
Get free or discounted rides when you transfer from BART to AC Transit, County Connection, Muni, Tri Delta Transit, Union City Transit, VTA, WestCAT and Wheels.
FAQs
If you hear three beeps, you do not have sufficient value and need to add more value to your Clipper card. You will not necessarily be charged every time you tag, but it validates your fare and serves as your proof of payment, so be sure to tag on every time you board (you may need to tag off for some agencies).
Can you use a Clipper card with negative balance? ›
No negative balances allowed; riders can add Clipper value at Add Fare machines.
How do I check the value of my Clipper card? ›
Call the Clipper Customer Service Center at 877-878-8883 and use the automated phone service to hear your balance and your last 10 transactions. You can also log in to your regular Clipper account to see your balance and download a transaction history.
Is it cheaper to use a Clipper card? ›
Paying with Clipper
Clipper customers get discounts on one-way fares of 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for youth and 19 cents for senior and disabled riders.
What happens if you forget to scan Clipper card? ›
What happens if I forget to tag off? If you do not tag off within 4 hours, you will be charged the maximum one-way fare from your starting point. Clipper will deduct this amount from your cash balance.
What is the minimum amount on the Clipper card? ›
(Minimum cash value requirement is $1 for youth and 75 cents for senior and RTC customers.) Customers who are eligible for discounted fares can add any amount of cash value to their Youth, Senior or RTC Clipper card.
What happens if I have a negative balance on my card? ›
If your credit card account shows a negative balance, that means your creditor owes you money. While it might be startling to see a negative balance on your account, it shouldn't have much impact on you. Most likely the money will be credited toward your future purchases.
Can my wife use my Clipper card? ›
No, Clipper START cards are only for the person who has qualified for the program through the application process and whose name is on the card. If another person is using your card and is stopped by transit agency personnel, your card may be confiscated and you may receive a citation.
Can I let someone else use my Clipper card? ›
6.1. 2 All Youth and Senior Clipper® cards, as well as RTC Discount Cards and cards loaded with the Clipper® START(SM) discount, are automatically registered, not transferable, and can be used only by the person identified in the Clipper® customer database.
What age is the senior discount on a Clipper card? ›
You cannot purchase HVD tickets at Clipper retailers or Customer Service Centers, transit agency ticket offices or ticket machines. The HVD balance on your Clipper card cannot exceed $250. Youth 5-18 years old get 50% off with a youth Clipper card. Seniors age 65 and over get 62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card.
To transfer your unused cash balance to a new card, you need to purchase a new adult Clipper card on your device and then call Clipper Customer Service at 877.878. 8883 to request a balance transfer.
Can I cash out my Clipper card? ›
Only registered Clipper cards, are available for refunds. Please contact Clipper Customer Service at 877.878. 8883 to request a refund without cancelling your card.
Is there a $3 fee for Clipper card? ›
There is a one-time $3 fee to purchase a plastic Clipper card from a BART station vending machine. Vending machines accept all U.S. coins and dollar bills (excluding $50 and $100 bills). Select machines accept credit and debit cards.
Can you use phone instead of Clipper card? ›
Using Clipper® on your mobile device is fast and easy – and you avoid the $3 fee for new plastic Clipper cards.
How much cash can you have on a Clipper card? ›
If your next order will cause your Clipper card to exceed the $300 maximum balance, Clipper cannot load the funds to your card.
Can you get Clipper money back? ›
Clipper Refunds:
Only registered Clipper cards, are available for refunds. Please contact Clipper Customer Service at 877.878. 8883 to request a refund without cancelling your card.
Why does my Clipper card say bad debt? ›
What if my Auto-Reload payment fails and/or the card reader says “BLOCKED BAD DEBT”? This means we couldn't process your payment for automatic reloading. If your credit/debit card or bank account is declined: We will automatically send a declined payment notice to the email address in your Clipper account.
Why is my Clipper card blocked? ›
Why is my Clipper card blocked? If your card is blocked, it's likely we couldn't process your payment or your card has been reported lost or stolen.
