Pay for BART with iPhone & Apple Watch

Apple Pay Now Compatible with Clipper Cards in the Bay Area

Residents of the Bay Area can now enjoy a more convenient way to pay for public transportation. Apple Pay is now fully integrated with Clipper cards.

This integration allows iPhone and Apple Watch users to seamlessly pay fares on various transit systems. This includes BART, Muni, Caltrain, and even the ferry services.

How it Works

Essentially, the functionality replicates the use of a traditional plastic Clipper card. However, it leverages the contactless payment capabilities of Apple devices.

The process offers a streamlined and modern alternative to physical cards. It simplifies transit fare payment for Apple users throughout the region.

Setting Up Apple Pay with Clipper

Detailed instructions regarding the setup procedure are readily available. A dedicated page outlining the steps can be found on the official Clipper website.

Users can access this resource to learn how to link their Clipper card to their Apple Pay wallet. This ensures a smooth transition to the new payment method.

This update expands payment options and enhances the overall transit experience for commuters in the Bay Area.

Key Considerations Regarding Clipper Card Integration:

The process of adding an existing Clipper card to Apple Wallet results in a transfer of the associated funds. Following this transfer, Clipper reports that the original plastic card is deactivated.
Despite the digital option, retaining the physical Clipper card remains necessary for certain users. This includes individuals who utilize Bay Area bike share programs or possess an RTC Discount Card.
While Clipper has announced upcoming compatibility with Google Pay (for Android devices) anticipated this spring, the current release is exclusively for Apple Pay.

As previously highlighted in February when this feature was initially announced, Clipper leverages Apple’s “Express Transit” functionality. This essentially enables contactless payment with the digital Clipper card without requiring prior authentication via a phone’s passcode or FaceID.

Furthermore, select newer iPhone models offer continued Clipper card functionality for several hours even after the device’s battery is depleted. This provides a convenient backup solution, though consistent reliance on this feature is not recommended.