MTC begs for public’s patience, Clipper delayed in Solano and Napa counties
07 October, 2013
category: Contactless, Transit
The Metropolitan Transportation is more than a year behind schedule in its plans to extend Clipper cards for commuters using transit systems in both Solano and Napa counties, according to the Times-Herald.
Solano and Napa transit agencies had hoped to get the Clipper cards in place in 2013, but the forecast is now the latter part of 2014, SolTrans Program Analyst Elizabeth Romero said. The delay is a result of several factors, including longer time to negotiate a contract change order than expected, funding requirements and other issues.
Clipper cards enables commuters to make seamless transfers between differing transit systems after they add cash value to them with a debit or credit card. They eliminate the need to have different transit passes or to fish for coins and dollar bills at different train or bus stops.
Commuters can use the cards on BART, and on bus and ferry systems throughout the Bay Area, but they stop at Solano and Napa borders — something transit officials have been trying to address since 2011.
Transit operators still need to complete infrastructure upgrades in numerous locations, install equipment on vehicles and bus yards and do software testing. Once the system is in place, commuters will be able to use Clipper cards on SolTrans, Napa VINE, Vacaville and City Coach, Rio Vista bus lines and the Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) buses.
