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This page contains information on how youths can get a special Clipper card which will automatically provide discounts on Muni service. Senior Clipper card information can be found on the Senior Clipper information page.

If you are a youth who already has an adult Clipper card and are replacing it with a Youth Clipper card, please see the Clipper card discount FAQ.

If you want to take part in the Free Muni for Youth pilot, please see the Free Muni for Youth pilot page.

It's Time to Switch!

Whether you like to ride Muni with an unlimited-ride monthly pass or pay for each ride with cash, the best way to do either is with a Youth Clipper card.  Once you have your Clipper card, you may either load a Youth monthly pass or any amount of cash value.  Then, whenever you tap your Youth Clipper card to a Clipper reader, the system will automatically apply the relevant discounts. 

  • When you use your Youth Clipper card to load a monthly pass through any one of the numerous ways to purchase a pass, the system will automatically charge the discounted amount and load the pass to your card. 
  • When paying your fare as you go, the system will deduct the discount senior fare from your Youth Clipper card and apply a 90-minute transfer to your card.  Using a Clipper card to pay your fare, you never have to worry about carrying exact change or getting a transfer from the operator.

The Clipper card also has balance protection which means if you ever lose your card and report it to the Clipper Service Bureau (877.878.8883), you will receive a replacement card with the product or value you had on the card at the time you reported it lost. 

See below for how youths (5 to 17) can get a special Clipper card which will automatically provide discounts on Muni service. For more information about Clipper and to learn about the many ways you can load your card, go to It’s Time to Switch.

Note: If you are enrolled in the Youth Lifeline Program, you do not need a Clipper card. You will continue to receive a paper pass through the school district; however, we encourage you to apply for a Youth Clipper card because you will need it for riding BART or any of the other Bay Area provider. Plus, if you should ever not be enrolled in the Youth Lifeline Program, you will need the Clipper card to load Muni’s Youth monthly pass.

How to obtain a Youth Clipper card

Youths or parents/guardians must apply in person and show valid proof of age at any one of the locations listed below.  Youth Clipper cards will be issued on the spot.

  • Clipper Customer Service Center
    • Mezzanine level of the Embarcadero BART/Muni Station
      Monday through Friday 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Bay Crossings storefront at the San Francisco Ferry Building
      Monday through Saturday 6:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • SFMTA Customer Service
    11 South Van Ness
    San Francisco, CA 94103
    Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    This office is not open on weekends. Please see the other three locations for where to get a Youth card on a Saturday or Sunday.

  • Presidio Sales Kiosk
    Geary Boulevard at Presidio Avenue, northwest corner near bus shelter
    Monday through Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Valid proof of age includes any one of the documents listed below: 

  • Birth certificate
  • State-Issued Driver’s License
  • State-Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
  • San Francisco City ID Card
  • Matricula Consular/Consular Identification
  • Alien Registration/Permanent Resident Card

Be aware: You will never be asked for your social security number. If anyone asks you on behalf of the SFMTA or the Clipper program, please do not give your social security number. Call the San Francisco Police Department at 415.553.0123 to report the incident.

Once customers obtain a Youth Clipper card, they may load their pass through any one of the Clipper sales channels:

How to use a Youth Clipper card with a pass or cash value

Please see the Clipper Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to report and replace a lost, damaged or stolen Youth Clipper card

If you already have a Youth Clipper card and it is lost, damaged or stolen, you may replace your card and retain the cash value or time remaining on a pass. Your Youth Clipper card is registered in the Clipper program; therefore, any cash value or time remaining on a pass at the point your card is properly reported will be transferred to a replacement Youth Clipper card. To submit a report and request a replacement card, see the following instructions:

If you would like to replace your card quickly, please call the Clipper Customer Service number to report your card lost/stolen first. Then, you can visit one of the following Clipper's in-person Customer Service Center locations the next business day to pick up a replacement card.

  • Clipper In-Person Customer Service Center:
    • Mezzanine level of the Embarcadero BART/Muni Station - Monday through Friday 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Bay Crossings storefront at the San Francisco Ferry Building -
      Monday through Saturday 6:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To receive a replacement card within 10 days, either log into your account on clippercard.com or call the Clipper Service Bureau at 877.878.8883.

A Youth Clipper card will automatically change to an Adult Clipper card once you turn 18

On your 18th birthday, your Youth Clipper card will automatically change to an Adult Clipper card.  This means youth discounts will no longer be granted and adult fares will be required.  

Once you turn 18, the following will happen:

  • If you have a Youth monthly pass on your card, your Youth pass will be cancelled. This will happen even if it is the beginning or middle of the month.  If your birthday is next month and you purchase a Youth pass, it will be cancelled as of your birthday. 
  • If you have cash value on your card, the Clipper system will automatically start deducting adult fare.
  • If your card has both a Youth monthly pass and cash value, the Clipper system will cancel your youth pass and start deducting the adult fare from your cash value.

If your card is set up for Automatic reloads and your 18th birthday is coming up, follow these steps:

  • Disable Autoload before the new pass is loaded.  This will prevent a product from being loaded that you will not be able to fully use. 
  • After your birthday has passed, set up Autoload to load an adult pass.


Explore Clipper:

 

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Muni transit services are operated by the Transit Division of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Copyright © 2000-2013 SFMTA. All rights reserved. Updated January 4, 2013