Clipper Card Grows in Popularity and Reaches Out to Chinese Market

The popularity of the Clipper transit fare card continues to grow rapidly, with 178,225 transactions logged the week ending October 1, an increase of almost 9 percent over the prior week. This continues the steady upward climb in usage since the card was introduced in mid-June of this year. And now the Clipper program is reaching out to a new market with a Chinese language nickname for the card.

At a press event last Thursday, BART and MTC unveiled the new Chinese moniker for Clipper — Lu Lu Tong, which roughly translates to “The Go Everywhere Card.”

“BART is extremely proud to have partnered with our transit colleagues, San Francisco Muni and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, in making the Clipper card more accessible to a vibrant part of the transit community, Bay Area residents of Chinese ancestry,” BART Board President James Fang said. “The ability to identify both linguistically and culturally with a product is, as everyone knows, critical to improving day-to-day usage. After a collaborative process with our partners, we think the name Lu Lu Tong gives a link to the Chinese-American community. Everyone is excited about this great opportunity.”

Managed by MTC, Clipper is an all-in-one transit card now accepted on BART, Muni, AC Transit, Caltrain, and Golden Gate Transit and Ferry. Customers can add a variety of passes and cash value to customize their card to their own transit needs. Additional Bay Area transit agencies are scheduled to get on board Clipper in the coming months.

There are many ways for customers to get a Clipper card or add value to an existing Clipper account. Visit www.clippercard.com or call (877) 878-8883.