VTA Gets On Board CLIPPER

Beginning February 16, 2011, VTA will phase in the use of Clipper cards as valid fare on its buses and light rail vehicles. Passengers can purchase Clipper Cards at VTA locations beginning February 16 and can load "electronic cash" for immediate use on VTA and March Monthly Flash Passes.

In case you haven’t heard, Clipper is an all-in-one transit “smart” card, which allows you to load passes and “electronic cash” value, for use on Bay Area transit systems. Clipper makes taking transit super convenient; you no longer have to carry multiple passes, just load what you need on one card and you’re good to go! While the passes you choose to load on your Clipper card will continue to be transit-system specific (example, a VTA monthly pass), you also have the option to load cash value that can be used as fare on any of the transit systems that accept Clipper.

For the first phase of VTA’s launch of Clipper, in February 16, 2011, customers will ONLY be able to purchase VTA monthly passes (adult, express, youth and senior/disabled) and add cash value on their Clipper card. For unlimited rides on VTA buses and light rail, you should load a VTA monthly pass on your Clipper card. VTA’s Day Pass and VTA’s Annual Passes will NOT be available for purchase during the first phase of our Clipper launch. If you do not have a monthly pass loaded on your Clipper card and use electronic “cash” on your Clipper card as fare on VTA vehicles, the system will charge you the appropriate Single Ride fare every time you board. VTA will notify customers when day passes become available, at a future date.

When your trip involves more than one system, remember that transfer rules will apply when using your Clipper card!

During the first phase of VTA’s Clipper launch, please visit www.clippercard.com to obtain your card, or you may obtain a card at VTA ticket offices, at these two locations:

• VTA Downtown Customer Service Center
  
  2 North First Street
  
  San Jose, CA 95113
• VTA River Oaks Administrative Offices
  
  331 North First Street Building B
  
  San Jose, CA 95134

For more information:

www.vta.org/clipper/