Clipper

Pay with Clipper 

In addition to the SMART e-tickets mobile app, SMART accepts Clipper®, the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card. Clipper makes it easy to pay for your train ride and connect with other public transit services throughout the region. 

Transfer Discounts 

SMART passengers who pay with Clipper receive a $1.50 transfer discount ($0.75 for youth, seniors and passengers with disabilities) when transferring to Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus or Sonoma County Transit. 

The same discount applies when transferring from these transit providers to SMART and paying with Clipper cash value. Transfers are not available when paying with the SMART e-tickets mobile app. 

Clipper Tips for SMART Riders 

• Use your own card or device. Each rider must pay with their own Clipper card or mobile device. 
• Know which payment methods qualify. Contactless credit and debit card payments are available for adult fares only. Youth, Senior, Clipper Access (formerly RTC) and Clipper START customers must continue using their eligible plastic or mobile Clipper cards to receive applicable discounts. 
• Tag on and tag off for every ride. To ensure the correct payment method is charged, remove your Clipper card from your wallet before tapping. All riders must tag on before boarding and tag off when exiting at their destination, including riders with an activated 31-day pass. 
  • Clipper card: Hold your card flat against the Clipper logo on the reader at the station platform. Wait for the beep and green light. 
  • Credit or debit card: Use the same card to tag on and tag off. 
  • Mobile device: Select your preferred payment card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and use that same payment method to tag on and tag off. 
• Remember to tag off within four hours. If you do not tag off within four hours, you will be charged the maximum one-way fare from your starting station. Clipper deducts this amount from your cash balance. If your balance falls below $3.50 ($1.75 for youth, senior and RTC customers), you must add cash value before riding again. 
• Complete bus-to-train transfers within four hours. When transferring from a bus to SMART, you must complete your trip within four hours of your last bus tag, including tagging off on SMART, for the transfer discount to apply. 
• Avoid tagging twice at the same station. If you tag your card twice at the same station within 15 minutes, the second tag will cancel your ride. The reader will display a message confirming that your initial tag was refunded. To take the train, you must tag on again. If you tag a second time after 15 minutes, you will be charged the maximum one-way fare. 
• Understand when a new 31-day pass becomes active. The activation date depends on how you purchase your pass: 
  • In person: If you purchase a new pass while your current pass is still active, Clipper extends your existing expiration date by 31 days, providing continuous coverage. 
  • Online, by phone or through Autoload: If you purchase a new pass before your current pass expires, it will be loaded the next time you tag your card after the current pass expires. The new 31-day validity period begins with that first tag. For example, if your current pass expires May 12 and you next tag your card on May 21, your new pass begins May 21 and is valid for 31 days. 

Transfer Time Limits 

When transferring from SMART to another transit service, you must complete your connecting trip within the time limit listed below. The time begins when you tag off on SMART. 

For the services marked with an asterisk, the time limit is measured from your SMART tag-off until you tag off on the connecting bus. 

Get a Clipper Card 

Clipper offers several ways to purchase a card or pay your fare. After purchasing a physical Clipper card, register it at ClipperCard.com. If your registered card is lost or stolen, its cash value and passes can be transferred to a replacement card. 

Adult Clipper Cards 

For riders ages 19–64.

You can purchase or access an adult Clipper card through the following options: 

• At any SMART station fare machine ($3 fee) 
• Online at ClipperCard.com 
• Through the Clipper mobile app 
• Using Pay with Phone 
• Using Tap to Pay 
• At SMART's office 
• At participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers 

Senior and Youth Clipper Cards 

• Seniors ages 65 and older and youth ages 18 and under ride SMART free. 
• Youth ages 5–18 and seniors ages 65 and older can apply for discounted Clipper cards to use on other transit systems through the following options: 
• Online at ClipperCard.com 
• At SMART's office 
• At participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers 

Clipper Access (RTC) 

For riders under age 65 with qualifying disabilities. 

Applications are available: 

• Online through 511.org 
• At SMART's office 
• At participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers 

Clipper START 

For riders ages 19–64 who meet income eligibility requirements. 

• Apply online at Clipper START. 

Check Your Clipper Balance 

You can add cash value to your Clipper card at any SMART station fare machine, online at ClipperCard.com, or at participating transit agency ticket offices and retailers. 

Although Clipper balances are no longer displayed on station readers, you can check your balance in real time: 

• Registered cards: Log in to the Clipper app or website. 
• Mobile Clipper cards: Check your balance in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.