S.F. Muni, BART, expand senior and disabled pass pilot

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) announced a six-month extension of a joint pilot project that provides senior and disabled customers unlimited access to BART within San Francisco and regular Muni service with the purchase of a single pass.

The pilot extension begins with the August pass. 

During the initial 18-month pilot term, customers were required to pre-register for the program and obtain a voucher book that allowed them to purchase the monthly pass at three SFMTA sales locations only. Participation in the program has been very low. In order to gauge whether there is additional unmet demand for the pass, the SFMTA is eliminating the pre-registration and voucher requirement and will be seeking additional vending locations.

The price of the Muni Senior/Disabled Pilot Pass (“P” Pass) is $26 ($5 more than the regular monthly discount pass). The $5 additional charge for discount pass customers is necessary to cover costs associated with the program, similar to Adult “A” Pass customers who pay an additional $10 per month for BART access within San Francisco. The “P” Pass is not available on Clipper.

One thousand paper passes will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to any senior or person with a disability presenting a valid identification.

This pilot extension will be conducted to further assess the functionality, popularity and potential costs of implementing this fare product permanently on Clipper. At the end of the six-month pilot, the paper pass will be eliminated. If the pilot is successful the “P” pass could be added to Clipper at a later date.

All participants in the Senior/Disabled Pilot Pass Program are required to carry a valid form of ID at all times to verify age or disability when using the “P” Pass. Failure to present proof to any SFMTA or BART official upon request may result in pass confiscation and/or the issuance of a transit violation fine.