4.2 Affordable Muni

Key Takeaway: The Muni system should remain affordable for older adults and people with disabilities. Many older adults and people with disabilities in San Francisco face a high cost of living with limited or fixed financial resources. Free Muni is critical for more than 100,000 people who rely on the program to maintain mobility, health and independence.

Standard Muni Fares

There are multiple ways to pay for a Muni trip, including the Clipper Card, an all-in-one loadable card that can be used on all Bay Area transit systems, “Muni Mobile,” the agency’s official ticketing app, and cash. Details, including current fares and discounts, are available at www.SFMTA.com/fares.

The Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card

The Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card is a photo ID and Clipper card issued to persons with disabilities that entitles the bearer to ride for the appropriate Senior/Disabled fare on Muni and other Bay Area transit systems.

The SFMTA’s RTC Discount ID Office is a six-person team responsible for processing RTC applications and responding to related customer service calls. 

• As of December 2023, there are 19,694 active RTC participants with San Francisco residency, accounting for approximately 29.6% of all RTC participants in the Bay Area.
• In 2023, the RTC Office processed 4,193 RTC applications, including 384 for applicants with mailing addresses outside of the city. 
• On average, the RTC Office processes around 350 applications a month, the majority of which are received in person at the SFMTA Customer Service Center. 
• The SFMTA recently implemented a permanent cardholder policy, requiring fewer permanent users to renew their card in subsequent years. 

The RTC Office team also assists with tasks closely related to the RTC program, including: 

• Transitioning RTC participants to Senior Clipper Card.
• Processing Free Muni applications for RTC and Senior Clipper riders.
• Reaching out to RTC medical certifiers, like San Francisco General Hospital and social workers. 

On average, the team processes approximately 60 Free Muni and 60 Senior Clipper applications per month. The team also serves as SFMTA’s liaison to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and provides recommendations to improve the program for agencies and the public.

Free Muni for People with Disabilities and Seniors 

The SFMTA also provides fare-free service for low- and moderate-income people with qualifying disabilities or who are 65 and older residing in San Francisco. Free Muni for People with Disabilities and Seniors was developed in partnership with local senior/disability advocacy organizations. All San Francisco residents who are seniors or have disabilities with a gross annual family income at or below 100 percent of the Bay Area Median income level are eligible for the program. Applicants can apply online, by mail or in person. 

Since the Free Muni program's inception in 2013, seniors have made up about 85% of the active participants. People with disabilities have made up about 15% of active participants.

As part of their training, fare inspectors are trained to honor expired RTC cards for customers with permanent disabilities to avoid placing an undue burden on those who may have cognitive disabilities. Instead, inspectors are expected to write notes for caretakers and build relationships with those who are unable to navigate the Muni system independently. Inspectors are also trained to distribute multilingual handouts with information on discounted fares as well as disseminate information on crisis hotlines, twelve-step programs, and basic needs to patrons who may need them. 

Figure 1. Free Muni Program Total Clipper Card Tags (7/2018-2/2023)