Effective October 1, AC Transit no longer accepts paper, magnetic-strip tickets at the old, pre-July 1 fares.

You must pay your fare with a new, local ticket reflecting current fares. There is one exception: Youth may continue to use Local Youth 31-Day tickets purchased before July 1 because the price did not change.

Special information for transbay riders:

Transbay paper tickets have been eliminated altogether, meaning transbay riders must pay their fare with either a TransLink card (including RTC cards that have a TransLink chip/logo) or cash.

For transbay travel, there are exceptions:

1. RTC card holders with a current monthly sticker may continue to use the card as a flash pass along with a local 10-ride paper ticket, or a cash upgrade, to supplement their fare for transbay trips. (Note:  Most RTC cards are already TransLink-enabled as identified by the TransLink logo on the front of the card. All you need to do is add your monthly discount pass and cash to cover the transbay upgrade. Click here for more details on using your RTC TransLink card.) 

2. Youth and Adult riders can still use local tickets with the appropriate cash upgrade, for transbay rides. (Youth upgrade: $1.00 / Adult upgrade:  $2.00).

3. UC Berkeley Class Pass holders may continue to use their card as a flash pass for transbay trips.

Still have old tickets?  If you still have old tickets (local or transbay), you may exchange them (through 12/31/2009) for new, local tickets at the current fare or for a TransLink card with equivalent value added to it. You can exchange old tickets at AC Transit's downtown Oakland office (1600 Franklin St.) or by mailing in a downloadable exchange form.

As a reminder:  If you had been using 10-Ride paper transbay tickets and have switched to TransLink, just start adding cash ("e-cash") onto your TransLink card in any amount. The card automatically deducts the correct fare each time you use it. If you were using 31-Day  paper transbay tickets, start loading a 31-Day pass onto your TransLink card.  

For details about adding value to your TransLink card, and a list of retail locations where you can add value or redeem employer transit vouchers for value on your TransLink card, visit www.translink.org.