Student EasyPass Users and Digital Clipper Cards

August 22, 2023
David Sorrell, TDM-CP, TDM Administrator and Acting Principal Planner

  • Clipper Cards were available to use as a digital card in the Summer of 2021 to eliminate touchpoints, reduce COVID-19 Transmission, and create a better transit experience.

    • Students were given the option to transfer from a physical card to a digital card if they wished to do so.
    • If a user transfers their physical card to their digital one (Android or iPhone), the physical card is automatically turned off. 
    • Please be advised that students who wish to reclaim a new physical Clipper Card may do so by coming to the P&T Office at 1995 University Avenue (During Normal Business Hours) and pay a $20 replacement fee. 

  • If your Clipper Card says that it expires on "August 30th," please do not contact Parking & Transportation for updates - be assured that the Clipper Card is operating as normal and will be renewed on or before this date. Only contact P&T if your Clipper Card malfunctions after August 31st 2023.

  • Note: if your existing EasyPass Clipper Card is not working and have fares deducted from the card, bring the card to the P&T Office during normal business hours for replacement.

Other Questions for EasyPass or Mobile App Users

Q: How do I transfer the EasyPass Clipper Card to my Mobile Phone
A: Please review the process on the Clipper Website: Clipper On Your Phone | Clipper (clippercard.com)
Q: Outside of AC Transit EasyPass rides, how does the general public access the bus using the Clipper phone app which is really a Clipper card on a transit payment app?
A: Rider can tag any Clipper reader at the front (or back of the bus when there is a reader for all-door boarding); Clipper phone apps require a Clipper reader.
Q: What about Token Transit?
A: Token Transit has no Clipper card reader requirement, but the rider must board the front of the bus to show the Operator the phone's Token Transit screen with the date/fare/pulsing circle.  AC Transit recommends that students use the AC Transit phone app for operations such as checking on bus capacity or bus arrival; but, for other transit agency rides, Token Transit, or the Clipper iPhone app (other phone models later) could be used.  
Q: What are the Minimum Requirements to use the Digital Clipper Card?
A: 
Apple Devices: iPhone 8 or newer, Apple Watch Series 3 or newer, and the latest versions of iOS and watchOS respectively. If you attempt to purchase a new card in the Clipper app on an unsupported device, the purchase will initially go through but adding the card to Apple Wallet will fail. Your purchase will be automatically reversed 20 minutes later.

Android Devices: Your phone must be running Android Lollipop (5.0) or higher, and it must have an NFC chip. To check your Android version, go to Settings > About Phone > Android Version. To check if your device has an NFC chip, go to settings and search for NFC. Please note: This feature is not available for Motorola Devices.

Tagging Options 

For EasyPass: 

Must tag a Clipper reader (front or back if available); the adult-fare card is fare medium, so any discount passes must be based upon adult fare; get EasyPass through Parking & Transportation.

For Token Transit (non-EasyPass rides): 

Must show Operator (board front of bus always); can be used for multiple discount fares, except for institutional fares like EasyPass; download the app from AC Transit and other sites.

For Clipper iPhone (non-EasyPass rides): 

Must tag a Clipper reader; accepts multiple discount fares, except for institutional fares like EasyPass; iPhone 8 or newer, Apple Watch Series 3 or newer, and the latest versions of iOS and watchOS respectively to use Clipper in Apple Wallet; Wallet application needs to be active, the card selected, and the passcode entered ahead of use; Call Clipper if issue and don’t give phone to Operator to view or assist. 

For all Clipper users (Clipper Card, EasyPass Card, or Clipper apps): 

Tag Clipper reader upon boarding at front of bus (or rear if there is a reader)

Riders using cash, paper pass or mobile payment options must board at the front of the bus.