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Do you have to tag off Muni?

Note: Customers do not need to tag out of Muni Metro to exit. Fare gates have motion sensors and will open automatically. Simply walk through.



No, you do not have to "tag off" or "tap out" when exiting a San Francisco Muni bus or light rail vehicle. The Muni system (which includes all SFMTA buses and the Muni Metro) operates on a flat-fare basis, meaning your Clipper card is charged a single fixed rate regardless of how far you travel. You only need to tag your card at the reader when you board through any door. Once you reach your destination, you simply walk off the vehicle or through the fare gates, which have motion sensors that open automatically without requiring a second tap. This is a common point of confusion for travelers in 2026 because other Bay Area transit services like BART and Caltrain do require you to tag off to calculate the distance-based fare; failing to tag off on those systems results in being charged the maximum possible fare for the line. For Muni, your single tap grants you a 120-minute "transfer" window, allowing you to switch to other Muni lines for free within that timeframe. Always ensure you have your "Proof of Payment" (your tagged Clipper card or a paper transfer) in case a fare inspector boards the vehicle.

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You'll be charged the Single fare to the end of the journey of the bus you were travelling on - so please remember to 'Tap off'!

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Tap On, Tap Off for return journeys In addition, if you decide to make several journeys in that day your fare will be capped at the daily rate. Using Tap On, Tap off means you only pay for the journeys you have made and gives you more flexibility should your travel needs change.

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6.1. 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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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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Using Clipper
  1. To add a card to your iPhone or Apple Watch, open the Apple Wallet app and click the plus “+” icon. ...
  2. To use your plastic card, locate the Clipper reader and tag it by holding it flat against the Clipper logo. ...
  3. Some transit agencies charge fares based on distance or zones.


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How do I use the Tap on Tap off service? When you board the bus, use your contactless card or device to 'Tap on' at the ticket machine next to the bus driver. Once you've reached your destination, 'Tap off' the bus using the reader attached to the pole on the left hand side as you exit the bus.

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