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Updated February 4, 2008

POP logo (2kb)
  • Proof of Payment (POP) on J, K, L, M, N, S, T lines
  • Fare checking and Always ask for a transfer on all buses and F-line
  • Adult violations decriminalized February 4, 2008 - new payment procedures

POP/Checking of Fares Major Points

  • Proof of Payment (POP) is in effect on all Muni Metro lines.
  • Always ask for a transfer on all Muni lines except Cable Cars.
  • Don't board a bus without paying your fare or showing a pass/transfer/fare receipt.
  • "Proof of Payment" is physical proof that you have already paid your Muni fare for a particular trip.
  • You must have valid Proof of Payment when riding on a POP line or while within the paid area of Muni stations.
  • Your Proof of Payment must be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System, including time spent within the paid area of stations or waiting at station platforms.
  • Failure to produce Proof of Payment when asked by a Muni Fare Inspector will result in a large fine.
  • If you have Proof of Payment, you may board a Metro streetcar by any door.
  • You must board buses and historic streetcars by the front door, whether or not you have Proof of Payment.
  • To obtain Proof of Payment, you can:
    • Buy a pass, passport, or ticket ahead of time, or
    • At surface stops, pay when entering the front door of a single vehicle or the front door of the first car of a train.
    • West Portal through Embarcadero Stations: At subway stations pay at a faregate before entering the gated area or platform. In Muni Metro subway stations, where you enter by a faregate, the transfer/fare receipt is automatically dispensed from a slot at the far side of the faregate once you have paid your fare. You need to take that transfer before you leave the faregate area.
    • Fares cannot be paid on Metro streetcars in subway stations.
  • Don't get stuck entering with a transfer/fare receipt that will later expire while you are waiting on a platform or riding in a vehicle. If you are not sure your transfer/fare receipt will last, then pay for a fresh transfer/fare receipt on the surface or at a faregate in the subway.
  • Adult violations have been decriminalized as of February 4, 2008. Links to ticket payment information appear below. A news release about the change is available.

POP on surface Metro lines

Checking of fares on buses and the F-line

If you already have Proof of Payment:

  • You may board by any door.
  • You do not need to show your Proof of Payment to the driver.

If you already have a fare receipt, pass, or other valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare:

  • You must board by the front door.
  • You must show your valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare to the driver.

If you don't already have Proof of Payment:

  • You must board by the front door.
  • On a multi-car train, you must board by the front door of the first car.
  • You must pay the appropriate fare, ask for a transfer, and retain it for your entire ride.

If you don't have a fare receipt, pass, or other valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare:

  • You must board by the front door.
  • You must pay the appropriate fare, ask for a transfer, and retain it for your entire ride.

 

POP In Brief

Proof of Payment is in effect on all Muni Metro lines!

You must have a valid Muni pass, Passport, transfer/fare receipt, or machine-issued ticket during for your entire ride (subway and surface) on all Muni Metro lines (the J, K, L, M, N, S, T, and Metro Ballpark Shuttles) while on the Metro streetcars, and within the fare gates and on the platforms at the Metro subway stations.

Your valid Muni pass, Passport, CityPass, transfer/fare receipt, or machine-issued ticket is your Proof of Payment. Keep it for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms). Your Proof of Payment must be valid for your entire trip.

Boarding when you have already paid:

You may board at any door of any Metro streetcar with your Proof of Payment. At street-level boarding locations, open the rear doors by pushing the lighted white button.

Don't get stuck entering with a transfer/fare receipt that will later expire while you are waiting on a platform or riding in a vehicle. If you are not sure your transfer/fare receipt will last, then pay for a fresh transfer/fare receipt on the surface or at a faregate in the subway.

 

Paying cash at surface stops:

You may pay a cash fare by boarding through the front door of the vehicle and depositing cash (coins, token, bill) into the fare box, or giving a valid token coupon or ticket to the operator. Exact change is required. No change is given. Ask for a transfer; it will serve as your fare receipt. On multi-car Metro trains, board the front door of the first car.

Make sure the transfer/fare receipt displays the current date, and that the last time shown on the transfer/fare receipt allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the driver and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt immediately. Keep the transfer/fare receipt for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).

 

Paying cash at outdoor Muni stations:

At all outdoor Muni stations (N-Judah stops along the Embarcadero and King Street, and M-Ocean View stops at San Francisco State University and Stonestown; but not West Portal Station), you may save time by using cash (coins, bill) to purchase a ticket at a ticket vending machine.

Make sure the ticket has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the ticket allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the driver immediately upon boarding and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt. Keep the ticket for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).

Paying cash at subway stations (including West Portal):

Pay a cash fare (coins or token, no bills) at a faregate near a staffed agent booth, or use the gate closest to the agent to pay with a valid token coupon or ticket. Open stations always have at least one agent booth that is staffed.

Insert the fare into the coin slot of the faregate. The faregate will automatically dispense a transfer/fare receipt. Take this transfer/fare receipt as you enter the faregate. You cannot enter the gated area until you have paid your fare and received Proof of Payment.

Make sure the transfer/fare receipt has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the transfer/fare receipt allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the nearest station agent and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt before leaving the gate area. Keep the ticket for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).

Enforcement of POP Policy:

Traveling on POP vehicles or being inside the paid area of a subway station without a valid Proof of Payment, or supplying false information to a Fare Inspector, may result in fines of up to $500. Supplying false information to a Fare Inspector may also result in jail time. Failing to pay your fine may lead to an additional assessment of $250. Amounts are subject to change without notice from Muni.

Muni Fare Inspectors may ask you for Proof of Payment—a valid Muni pass, Passport, CityPass, transfer/fare receipt, or machine-issued ticket—on board any Muni Metro streetcar—J, K, L, M, N, S, T, or Metro Ballpark Shuttle—for the entire route, not just in the subway. They may also ask for Proof of Payment inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations from Embarcadero through West Portal stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).

Checking of Fares, and Always ask for a Transfer in brief

On buses and historic streetcars, board the front door and show your fare receipt, pass, or other valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare to the driver.

Always ask for a transfer when paying a cash fare on any Muni line except Cable Cars. Retain your transfer/fare receipt for your entire ride.

Don't board a bus without paying your fare or showing a pass or transfer/fare receipt.

Violators may be cited.

In Detail

This page contains detailed information about Proof of Payment and Checking of Fares/Always Ask for a Transfer. A more general overview is available.

What is Checking of Fares/Always Ask for a Transfer?

When do you need Proof of Payment?

How can POP speed up your Metro ride (and everyone else's)?

What constitutes Proof of Payment?

What does not constitute Proof of Payment?

How and When do you get your Proof of Payment?

How do you board a Muni vehicle on the street?

How do you board a Muni vehicle at an outside Muni station (excluding West Portal)?

How do you enter a Muni subway station that is controlled by faregates?

What if you lose your Proof of Payment?

What if your Proof of Payment expires during your trip?

How is POP policy enforced?

What are the penalties for not having Proof of Payment?

What do you do if you receive a Muni transit violation?

 

What is Fare Checking/Always Ask for a Transfer?

  • Always ask for a transfer when paying a cash fare.
  • Your transfer serves as your fare receipt; keep it for your entire ride on Muni. Violators may be cited under San Francisco Traffic Code section 127.
  • If you already have a fare receipt, pass, or other valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare :
    • You must board by the front door of buses or the F-line.
    • You must show your valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare to the driver.

 

When do you need Proof of Payment?

  • While riding the J, K, L, M, N, S, T, or Metro Ballpark Shuttle lines ("Muni Metro"), both on the surface and in the subway.
  • While inside the paid area of any Muni station controlled by fare gates.

 

How can POP speed up your Metro ride (and everyone else's)?

If you have Proof of Payment before you board a Metro streetcar (J, K, L, M, S, T, Metro Ballpark Shuttle) on the surface:

  • you may board by any door of a Metro line,
  • you do not need to show your Proof of Payment to the driver of a Metro line.
  • you do not have to fumble for change.
  • the driver can spend less time at the stop.

This only applies to Metro streetcar lines. On buses and historic streetcars, you must continue to board through the front door and show your Proof of Payment to the driver (but it will still be faster than fumbling for change).

What constitutes Proof of Payment?

  • A valid Muni Adult Pass.
  • A valid Muni Senior, Youth or Lifeline Pass with proof of age .
  • A valid Discount Monthly Sticker attached to a valid RTD Discount ID card.
  • A valid Muni Passport, Day Pass, or Adult CityPass.
  • A valid Youth CityPass with proof of age.
  • A TransLink fare card with one of the above items purchased on it.
  • A valid Disabled/Senior Muni Ticket.
  • An un-expired Muni transfer/fare receipt or machine-issued ticket.
  • A TransLink fare card tagged for the current trip is valid for 90 minutes after tagging.
  • An Embarcadero BART Pac Bell Park transfer is only good for rides from Embarcadero BART via Muni Metro to Pac Bell Park, and only immediately before Giants' games or other selected events.

What does NOT constitute Proof of Payment?

  • Any Proof of Payment which has expired.
  • A ticket from a Youth Fifteen-Ride ticket booklet.
  • A BART-to-Muni or Ferry-to-Muni ticket or coupon.
  • A Discount Monthly Sticker that is not attached to a valid RTD Discount ID card.
  • A Muni token or token coupon.
  • Cash.
  • A TransLink fare card that has not yet purchased a Proof of Payment covering the current trip.
  • A Muni Passport that has not had dates scratched off to show its effective dates.
  • A CityPass that has not been marked with its effective dates.
  • A Senior Pass, Youth Pass or Youth CityPass without proof of age.

How and When do you get your Proof of Payment?

  • Passes, Passports, and the CityPass may be purchased in advance at various vendors.
  • Day Passes may be purchased on cable cars on the day of use.
  • Tickets and transfers/fare receipts must be obtained at the start of your trip. Always ask for a transfer when paying a cash fare.

How do you board a Muni vehicle on the street?

If you already have Proof of Payment:

  1. Make sure you have your Proof of Payment before boarding, and that it will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.
  2. If the vehicle is a Metro streetcar, use any door. Do not show your Proof of Payment to the driver.
    • Rear doors on streetcars can be opened by pressing the lighted white button near the door.
  3. If the vehicle is not a Metro streetcar, use the front door and show your fare receipt, pass, or other valid evidence of payment of appropriate fare to the driver.

If you don't have Proof of Payment yet,
or your Proof of Payment will expire before the end of your trip:

  1. Have your fare ready before the vehicle arrives.
  2. Board the front door of the vehicle.
    • If there is more than one car running as a train, you must board the front door of the first car.
    • If you are paying a discount fare, have a valid proof of eligibility ready and show it to the driver.
  3. Pay your fare with all coins, a dollar bill and coins, a token, valid token coupon, BART-to-Muni coupon (additional cash payment may be required), or a ferry-to-Muni ticket.
  4. Ask the operator for a transfer/fare receipt.
  5. Make sure the transfer/fare receipt displays the current date, and that the last time shown on the transfer/fare receipt allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the driver and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt immediately.
    • "Late night" transfers/fare receipts are issued at surface stops after 8:30 pm. They are good from 8:30 pm the same day until 5 am the next day.
  6. Keep the transfer/fare receipt for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).
  7. Now that you have your transfer/fare receipt, you may board any Metro streetcar through any door as long as the transfer/fare receipt will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.

How do you board a Muni vehicle at an outside Muni station (excluding West Portal)?

If you already have Proof of Payment:

  1. Make sure you have your POP, and that it will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.
  2. If the vehicle is a Metro streetcar, use any door. Do not show your POP to the driver.
    • Rear doors on streetcars can be opened by pressing the lighted white button near the door.
  3. If the vehicle is not a Metro streetcar use the front door and show your Proof of Payment to the driver.

If you don't have Proof of Payment yet,
or your Proof of Payment will expire before the end of your trip:

You may follow the instructions above for "How do you board a Muni vehicle on the street - If you don't have Proof of Payment yet" or:

  1. Purchase a ticket from the ticket machine.
  2. Make sure the ticket has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the ticket allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, enter by the first door, notify the driver upon boarding, and get a transfer/fare receipt immediately.
  3. Keep the ticket for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).
  4. Now that you have your ticket, you may board any Metro streetcar through any door as long as ticket will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.

How do you enter a Muni subway station that is controlled by faregates?

If you already have Proof of Payment:

  1. Make sure you have your Proof of Payment, and that it will be valid the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.
  2. If you are using a Pass, insert the pass into the faregate, and retrieve the pass as you enter.
    • If the faregate does not work or is closed, check the front of the faregates for a lit green "open" sign, and use an open faregate.
    • If all of the faregates show a red "closed" sign, then follow the instructions below for "If no agent is present and you cannot use the faregates".
  3. If you are using some other form of Proof of Payment than a pass, use the faregate closest to the agent booth, and show your Proof of Payment to the agent.

    If no agent is present, and you cannot use the faregates:

    1. Make sure you have your Proof of Payment, and that it will be valid the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.
    2. You may use the swing gate to enter. If you need to use the platform elevator for accessibility, you may do so.
      • Do not use the swing gate if you do not have Proof of Payment.

If you don't have Proof of Payment yet:

Adults not paying a discount fare:

  1. Insert your fare in coins or token into the faregate, or give your valid token coupon to the agent.
  2. If this is not possible, see What to do if the faregate doesn't work below.
  3. After paying, the faregate will automatically dispense a transfer/fare receipt printed with the time it is valid until. Take the transfer/fare receipt as you enter.
  4. Make sure the transfer/fare receipt has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the transfer/fare receipt allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the nearest available Station Agent and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt before leaving the faregate area.
  5. Keep the transfer/fare receipt for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).
  6. Now that you have your transfer/fare receipt, you may board any Metro streetcar through any door as long as the transfer/fare receipt will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.

Seniors, persons with disabilities, and youths paying a discount fare:

  1. Use the faregate closest to the staffed agent booth.
  2. Show the agent your proof of eligibility for a discount fare.
  3. If there is no agent, see What to do if the faregate doesn't work below.
  4. Insert your fare in coins or token into the faregate, or give your valid token coupon to the agent.
  5. After paying, the faregate will automatically dispense a transfer/fare receipt printed with the time it is valid until. Take the transfer/fare receipt as you enter.
  6. Make sure the transfer/fare receipt has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the transfer/fare receipt allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, notify the nearest available Station Agent and get a corrected transfer/fare receipt before leaving the faregate area.
  7. Keep the transfer/fare receipt for your entire trip on all Muni Metro lines—both subway and surface—as well as while inside the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations (the area within the faregates, including train platforms).
  8. Now that you have your transfer/fare receipt, you may board any Metro streetcar through any door as long as the transfer/fare receipt will be valid for the duration of your entire trip within the Muni Metro System.

What to do if the faregate doesn't work:

Customers paying Senior or Disabled discount fare:

  1. Seniors and persons with disabilities may purchase a Discount/Senior Muni Ticket from the yellow and blue free-standing ticket machine. Exact change is required.
    • These machines may generally be found between the street elevator and the platform elevator at all subway stations from Embarcadero through West Portal.
    • If you do not see this machine where you are, follow the instructions below for All customers needing assistance to pay their fare.
  2. Make sure the ticket has been printed with the current date, and that the time printed on the ticket allows you 90 minutes to complete your journey; if not, you must locate a staffed agent booth and get the problem corrected before entering the paid area--follow the instructions below for All customers needing assistance to pay their fare.
  3. With a valid ticket, you now have Proof of Payment and can use the swing gate or the platform elevator.

All customers needing assistance to pay their fare:

  1. There may be times where a subway booth is temporarily not staffed. Do not go through the swing gate at these booths; the gate may only be used by people who already have valid Proof of Payment. Instead, follow the instructions for the station and booth as shown:
    • If there is a sign in the agent booth reading:

      NO AGENT
      ON DUTY
      Cash must be paid at
      other end of station

      • Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center stations (eastern end): Go down the hallway to the booth at the western end of the station (away from the Ferry Building).
      • Van Ness station (south side): Go to the booth on the north side of the station (nearest Van Ness Avenue).
      • West Portal Station (outbound side): Go to the booth on the east (inbound) side of the station.
    • At all other booths, you must wait for an agent to return. There is always an agent assigned to these booths:
      • Western end of Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, or Civic Center stations.
      • North side of Van Ness station.
      • East (inbound) side of West Portal station.
      • Church, Castro, and Forest Hill stations.
  2. Then, when you are at the staffed booth, follow the instructions above for How do you enter a Muni station that is controlled by faregates if you don't have Proof of Payment yet?
  3. In some severe situations, customers may be allowed to pay at the farebox of the first car next to the operator. A transfer/fare receipt must be obtained from the operator at the time of payment and must be retained by the customer as Proof of Payment. Customers are advised they will only be allowed to do this with official authorization from Muni.

What if you lose your Proof of Payment?
What if your Proof of Payment expires during your trip?

  • Don't get stuck entering with a transfer/fare receipt that will later expire while you are waiting on a platform or riding in a vehicle. If you are not sure your transfer/fare receipt will last, then pay for a fresh transfer/fare receipt on the surface or at a faregate in the subway.
  • If your Proof of Payment is about to expire, be sure to obtain a new Proof of Payment before the old one expires.
  • If your Proof of Payment has expired and you are riding a Proof of Payment vehicle,
    • If you are on the surface, go pay your fare immediately if it is safe to do so, and get a transfer/fare receipt as Proof of Payment, or else exit the vehicle at the next stop.
    • If you are inside the paid area of a Muni station, or on a vehicle in the subway, exit the station and obtain Proof of Payment .
    • Don't try this if Proof of Payment enforcement officers are aboard the vehicle or present in the paid area of the station; it is too late to correct the problem.
  • There is no need to correct the problem on non-POP lines, but you will not be able to subsequently board a POP line or enter the paid area of a subway station without obtaining Proof of Payment.

How is POP policy enforced?
What are the penalties for not having Proof of Payment?

  • Muni Fare Inspectors may ask you for Proof of Payment on board any POP line, or in the paid area of Muni Metro subway stations between the Embarcadero and West Portal stations.
  • Traveling without a valid Proof of Payment or supplying false information to a Fare Inspector, may result in fines of up to $500.
  • Supplying false information to a Fare Inspector may also result in jail time.
  • There will also be an additional assessment of $250 (offsite link) if you fail to pay your fine or fail to show up for scheduled court appearances.
  • These amounts are subject to change without notice.
  • This policy is authorized under San Francisco Transportation Code section 7.2.101 (formerly section 127).

What do you do if you receive a Muni transit violation (Proof of Payment, Misconduct)?

The violation was issued to an adult on or after on or after February 4, 2008

The violation was issued to an adult before February 4, 2008

The violation was issued to a juvenile

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