No More Photos for Youth Clipper Cards
News Articles
11/18/2013
Board Streamlines Process, Lessens Hassles for Youth
Citing it as an unnecessary obstacle, the AC Transit Board of Directors has eliminated the requirement for a photo ID on the AC Transit Youth Clipper card. It means it is now easier for youths between the ages of five and 18 to get a Clipper Card– and the discounts it offers– without having to come to AC Transit headquarters to apply for one.
Instead, AC Transit youth riders may now apply for a Youth Clipper card by mail, email or fax and receive their registered Youth Clipper card in the mail. If they wish to obtain a Youth card the same day, they can still come to the Customer Service Center at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
“The photo mandate was preventing some youths from applying for Clipper Cards because it was just too difficult for them to get to our downtown office to sign up for it,’’ said AC Transit General Manager David Armijo. “So they were missing out on the advantages of having the card, including fare discounts that are only available with the card. We want the card to be accessible to everybody and now, without the photo requirement, there is a much better chance of that.”
The Youth Clipper card allows the purchase of discounted passes, such as the AC Transit Youth Local 31-Day Pass, to ride an unlimited number of times at a discounted price. The AC Transit Youth Local 31-Day Pass is currently $20. Customers can also load cash onto the cards and applicable discounts will be automatically calculated when the card is used. Discounted passes may be purchased online, at participating retailers– including most Walgreens stores– and by phone.
Qualified riders with Youth Clipper cards can take advantage of youth discounts on other Bay Area agencies that accept Clipper, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, San Francisco Bay Ferry, SamTrans and VTA. (Different age requirements may apply.)
For complete details about the Clipper Card, please visit www.clippercard.com, www.actransit.org, call Clipper Customer Service at 877-878-8883, or visit the AC Transit and Clipper Customer Service Center, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland.