Buses, Trains, and Ferries, Oh My! Soon Bay Area Transit Commuters Could Ride All with a Single Card

Congratulations to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on completing the first year of the Clipper BayPass pilot program ! The pilot gave select riders the ability to use a single Clipper card to pay fare on many Bay Area transit systems, making it more convenient for riders. The early data from the pilot is very encouraging, with participants taking 35% more trips than non-participants, to the tune of 2 million transit trips throughout the first year of the pilot. The pilot will continue through the end of 2024 with expanded participants.

Council CEO Jim Wunderman served on the MTC advisory committee that recommended the BayPass pilot as part of a broader effort to create a more seamless regional transit system. The Bay Area Council has long advocated for better coordination between the many Bay Area transit authorities, and we’re very pleased to see the data bear out our argument: transit that is safe, reliable, convenient, and easy to use attracts more riders and results in more trips. 

As many Bay Area transit agencies work to recover ridership and, it is more important than ever that they prioritize improving the rider experience. The Council will continue to advocate for transit that is not only financially sustainable, but a joy to ride. MTC is moving in that direction at a fast clip(per)!