VTA says goodbye paper pass, hello Clipper card
26 June, 2012
category: Contactless, Smart Cards, Transit
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is going paperless, doing away with its disposable paper transit passes and replacing it with Clipper card, according to Mountain View Patch.
Beginning July 1, all VTA customers will be required to pay for rides on VTA bus and light rail using the new reloadable, all-in-one transit smart card. The card keeps track of passes, discount tickets, ride books and cash value that customers load onto it, while applying all applicable fares, discounts and transfer rules.
When boarding, passengers simply tap the Clipper card to the reader, wait for the beep and proceed to board. When tagged, the Clipper device will show the pass used or amount charged for the ride and cash balance of the card.
The regional plastic pass card looks like a credit or debit card and allows passengers to load cash value and monthly passes by phone, online, or at a variety of Clipper retailers, including Walgreens.
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