The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is set to modernize its fare payment options by allowing riders to tap their credit or debit cards at fare gates starting this Wednesday morning. This move comes after years of delays in implementing an “open payment” system, aimed at enhancing convenience for both local commuters and visitors.
BART general manager Bob Powers announced the initiative during a kick-off event at Embarcadero Station, stating, “As of tomorrow, this will be a tap-and-ride system.” Powers highlighted the significance of this change for out-of-town guests and infrequent riders.
While the new payment option will be available, BART will continue to accept Clipper card payments. This dual approach seeks to ease the transition for existing riders while welcoming newcomers to the system.
The initiative hopes to make it easier for travelers arriving at San Francisco’s airports to choose BART as their preferred mode of transportation to downtown hotels and meetings. By allowing direct card payment at fare gates, BART aims to eliminate the hassle of purchasing a separate Clipper card or setting up associated applications. Powers referred to this streamlined process as “just one more tool” for building ridership numbers.
Open payment systems are not new on the global stage, with cities like London and New York having implemented similar systems long ago. However, the Bay Area has faced technical difficulties and various issues that have delayed its rollout. Other public transit agencies in the region, such as Muni and Caltrain, have yet to announce plans for launching their own open payment systems.
Long-time transit advocate and BART director Janice Li expressed her ongoing support for open payments, remarking, “I’ve been pushing for open payments for years. It’s so disappointing not to have a full rollout yet.”
Transform’s Abibat Rahman-Davies, who is currently developing a white paper on open payments, emphasized that the Bay Area has much room for improvement. He asserted that open payment systems should be standard across all transit agencies and should include fare capping policies to better support riders. Advocates envision a transit landscape where the Bay Area follows the examples set by cities like New York and London, ensuring accessible and equitable fare payment for all users.
In cities with established open payment systems, features like fare capping—also known as accumulation—provide significant benefits to riders. This system ensures that users do not continue to incur charges after reaching a certain number of rides, simplifying the decision-making process regarding passes and fares. It also enables a more integrated approach where passengers can transfer seamlessly among various operators without facing separate fees, promoting an efficient public transit experience.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has introduced the BayPass, a sort of universal transit pass designed for certain students and residents from low-income communities. However, a representative clarified that it is still uncertain when this pass will be made available to the general public.
Alicia John-Baptiste, an advisor to Mayor Daniel Lurie on transit matters, mentioned that there is optimism regarding other transit agencies launching open payment systems in the fall. Nonetheless, the timeline for erasing transfer fees between the region’s 27 transit agencies remains unclear.
Despite the remaining challenges, attendees at the opening event expressed excitement about BART’s move towards enhancing transit access. Adina Levin from Seamless Bay Area commented, “It’s great to have the bank card payment available starting on BART, which serves a lot of the region’s travel.”
Mayor Lurie added that creating a “clean, safe, and efficient transit system is essential” for the recovery of downtown, emphasizing the importance of public transit in promoting economic revitalization. As BART embarks on this new chapter in fare payment, the hope remains that it will pave the way for a more cohesive and user-friendly transit network across the Bay Area.
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