Everything to Know About Contactless Payment on VTA
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Paying your VTA adult fare is now faster and easier across the entire system. You can pay by tapping a contactless bank card at Clipper readers on VTA buses and at light rail platforms. No cash required, and no need to download a new app.
What Payments Can You Use with Tap to Pay?
VTA accepts contactless payments for adult fares using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover cards, including cards stored in Apple Pay or Google Pay. When you use a contactless bank card, you will be charged the full adult fare.
Best Practices for Tap to Pay:
- One card, one tap, one rider. If you’re traveling with friends or family, each person needs their own card or device.
- Use the same card or device for every tap during your trip. This keeps your fare activity consistent and helps ensure you receive applicable transfer discounts.
- Remove your plastic card from your wallet before tapping to pay at a Clipper reader. “Card clash” can happen when the reader detects more than one card or device, which may cause errors or charge the wrong card. If you pay with your phone or watch, keep other physical cards away from the reader.
Transfers and Regional Connections
VTA offers 2 hours of free transfers when you purchase a single-ride fare using Clipper. If your trip includes more than one Bay Area transit agency, you may also receive an automatic transfer discount of up to $2.85 when transferring between agencies within two hours of your initial tag. Use the same contactless bank card (or the same Clipper card) for all taps in that trip to receive the transfer discount.
Contactless payment is designed to remove friction, especially for occasional riders. Tap once, keep moving, and spend less time thinking about fares.
Want to learn more? The Clipper website has everything you need to know about key features of the next-generation Clipper system!