Can two people use the same Clipper card on BART?

Can two people use the same card at the same time? No, every rider needs their own card or device (phone or watch) to pay for fares.



No, two people cannot use the same Clipper card for a single journey on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. BART operates on a "tag-in/tag-out" distance-based fare system, meaning each individual rider must have their own unique card or mobile device to enter and exit the fare gates. If you attempt to tag a card a second time immediately after entering, the gate will likely display an "already in" error message. This rule also applies to the newer "Tap and Ride" contactless payment system introduced in late 2025; even if you are using a credit card or digital wallet instead of a physical Clipper card, each passenger must use a separate payment method. For families or groups traveling together, each person (including children aged 5 and up) must have their own Clipper card. This ensures the correct fare is calculated for each person based on their specific entry and exit stations. If you mistakenly try to share a card, you may be stuck at the exit gate, requiring assistance from a station agent to resolve the fare discrepancy.

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Soon, people using transit in the Bay Area will be able to pay using a credit card. Starting next year, Bay Area transit riders won't need a Clipper card to ride a train or ferry, and instead will be able to pass BART turnstiles or board Muni buses with the simple tap of a credit card.

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The Clipper card is a smart, contactless travel card that can be used all over the Sasn Francisco Bay Area. Travelers, both residents and tourists, can add value to their card either as they go or automatically, depending on what works best for them.

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6.1 Clipper® Card Registration: 2 All Youth and Senior Clipper® cards, as well as RTC Discount Cards and cards loaded with the Clipper® START(SM) discount, are automatically registered, not transferable, and can be used only by the person identified in the Clipper® customer database.

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Can I use my Clipper card to pay the fare of a person traveling with me? Clipper cards are for individual use. Each rider 5 years of age or older must have his/her own card.

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Registered cardholders can complete and sign a form authorizing another individual to act on behalf of the cardholder. To request a form and find out more information about the authorization requirements, please contact Clipper Customer Service at 877.878. 8883 (TDD/TTY 711 or 800.735. 2929).

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Paying with Clipper Cash value: For single rides. Clipper customers get discounts of 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for seniors and disabled riders on Muni buses and light rail. You need a cash value balance of at least $2 on an adult Clipper card to board.

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Riders using these cards automatically receive Youth or Senior fare discounts on monthly passes, ride books, tickets, cash value fares and transfers. Visit ClipperCard.com for more information and to download an application.

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In celebration of BART's upcoming 50th anniversary on September 11, BART is offering a 50% discount for the entire month of September 2022. The reduced fare will be automatically deducted when using Clipper at the fare gates.

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But BART Police Officers will ticket riders who eat or drink in the 'Paid Area,' which we define as the places where you need a ticket such as inside the fare gates of a station, on platforms or on any train. State law sets the fine as high as $250 and up to 48 hours of community service for this infraction.

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All BART Stations have Clipper vending machines which accept cash, credit cards and debit cards as payment. You can add cash value to Clipper cards at all BART ticket machines. Clipper cards can be ordered online at www.clippercard.com. Many retail outlets throughout the region also sell Clipper cards.

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BART makes it extremely easy to get a ticket from the San Francisco airport to downtown San Francisco. All you need to do is use one of the ticket vending machines to buy a one-way ticket for each passenger, which costs about $10.15 per person for a one-way ticket and $20.30 for a round trip.

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Luggage may be stowed under your seat or held in your lap.

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Load cash value at self-serve machines (including BART ticket machines), retailers, transit agency ticket offices and Clipper Customer Service Centers or online, by phone or through your transit benefit program.

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