AC Transit removes youth fare card hurdle

Citing it as an unnecessary obstacle, the Oakland, Calif.-based AC Transit board of directors eliminated the requirement for a photo ID on the AC Transit Youth Clipper card.

The decision means it is now easier for youths between the ages of five and 18 to get a Clipper Card — and the discounts it offers — without having to go to AC Transit headquarters to apply for one.

Instead, AC Transit youth riders may now apply for a Youth Clipper card by mail, email or fax, and then receive a registered Youth Clipper card in the mail.

“The photo mandate was preventing some youths from applying for Clipper cards because it was just too difficult for them to get to our downtown office to sign up,’’ said AC Transit GM David Armijo. “So, they were missing out on the advantages of having the card, including fare discounts that are only available with the card. We want the card to be accessible to everybody and now there is a much better chance of that without the photo requirement.”

The Youth Clipper card allows the purchase of discounted passes, such as the AC Transit Youth Local 31-Day Pass, to ride an unlimited number of times at a discounted price.

The AC Transit Youth Local 31-Day Pass is currently $20. Customers can also load cash onto the cards and applicable discounts will be automatically calculated when the card is used. Discounted passes may be purchased online, at participating retailers and by phone.

Qualified riders with Youth Clipper cards can take advantage of youth discounts on other Bay Area agencies that accept Clipper, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, San Francisco Bay Ferry, SamTrans and VTA.