Plans to make Clipper START discount permanent, explore capping
Plans to make the Clipper START all-agency discount pilot program permanent, and to make it easier to join, were discussed at the March meeting of the MTC Regional Network Management Customer Advisory Group.
Participation has increased by 77% (about 47,000 participants) since the program was standardized as a 50% discount among all operators in January 2024, and there has been a greater focus on outreach with community-based organizations and county human service agencies.
The program provides a 50% discount on 22 Clipper agencies for households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty level, which is about $50,000 for a family of 4. Adults between the 19 and 64 years old are eligible for Clipper START.
The number of Clipper START applications, enrollees, number of trips, and number of transfers greatly increased in 2024, when all agencies moved to a 50% discount. Source: MTC Regional Network Management Customer Advisory Group's March meeting
MTC is working on making it much easier to enroll, to be able to expand the program to serve more people. Currently, the program still reaches a small fraction of households who would be eligible. There are more than 400,000 low-income households enrolled for CalFresh food benefits and over 2 million individuals signed up for Medi-Cal health programs.
The features to make it easier for people who already participate in the common benefit programs to also get transit discounts will follow the rollout of the next-generation Clipper system.
Even more convenient affordability options are expected to be considered this year, as the region’s network management collaborative with MTC and agencies considers implementing the next phases of the regions adopted Fare Policy Vision, which include all-agency fare capping.
We will keep you posted on opportunities to support the permanent adoption of Clipper Start and the development of all-agency fare capping. These are important steps forward toward a vision of integrated and affordable fares improving access to Bay Area transit.
