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    1. Technology
    2. Fare Collection

    BART completes systemwide conversion to Clipper-only sales

    Dec. 15, 2020
    BART has been eliminating the sales of paper tickets since August of 2019 when a 4-station pilot program was launched.
    Related To: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
    Clipper
    Clipper Card 5fd8ededa8c55

    All Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations now offer Clipper as the only fare product available for purchase.

    BART has been eliminating the sales of paper tickets since August of 2019 when a 4-station pilot program was launched. The conversion was accelerated during the pandemic with one or more stations transitioned each week throughout 2020. Systemwide conversion was fully completed the week of Dec. 7. This effort is part of BART's 15-Step Plan to welcome riders back to a more contactless experience in the era of COVID-19.

    Touchless experience

    BART says it is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Using Clipper helps this effort by allowing riders to avoid direct contact with fare gates, as the card only needs to be held over the fare gate card reader without touching. Riders can further protect themselves from contact with fare machines by loading funds onto their Clipper card online, allowing up to one day for the balance to post. For registered users, the autoload feature will automatically replenish their Clipper balance.

    While paper tickets will no longer be available for purchase at these stations, riders are still be able to use paper tickets to enter or exit through fare gates. Riders are also able to add enough fare to a paper ticket to exit the station using add fare machines located inside the paid area.

    Clipper benefits

    BART has moved to 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. In addition to being contactless, Clipper has many advantages over paper tickets:

    • Clipper saves money. Adult paper tickets have a 50-cent 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 three roundtrips.
    • 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.
    • The loaded value on the Clipper card is secure when it’s registered. If the card is lost, the balance can be replaced for a nominal fee.
    • 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 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.
    • Customers can use Clipper anonymously. Clipper cards do not require registration. Registration is required for added benefits such as autoload and balance protection.

    Paper ticket refunds

    Customers can claim a refund for a paper ticket with a remaining value greater than $1.00. A station agent will help process a ticket refund request. Tickets can also be mailed along with the reason for the refund request.