Saying Farewell to BART Paper Tickets: Embracing the Clipper Card Era ORINDA, CA – After over half a century of relying on paper tickets for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rides, the era of paper tickets is coming to an end. Wednesday marked the final day that paper tickets could be used as a form of payment on BART trains. Starting Thursday, all BART gates will only accept Clipper cards. For riders who still have a remaining balance of more than a dollar on their paper tickets, BART is offering refunds. As of October, BART has already refunded around $57,000 to riders. The agency has stated that there is no deadline for requesting a refund, ensuring that riders can still receive their remaining funds. This change comes as BART introduces new state-of-the-art fare gates that are not compatible with paper tickets. The slot for paper tickets will be covered up as the transition to Clipper cards takes place. The first station to receive the new gates will be West Oakland’s BART station. Over 700 gates will be installed systemwide by the end of 2025. These new fare gates will be taller and stronger, designed to deter fare evaders from attempting to jump over them. Clipper cards offer a modern and convenient alternative to paper tickets. They can be easily downloaded onto mobile phones, allowing riders to have their cards readily available. Funds can be loaded onto Clipper cards directly from mobile devices, making transactions seamless and efficient. As BART bids farewell to paper tickets, it embraces the Clipper card era, bringing enhanced convenience and security to riders. The transition to these modern fare gates represents a step forward in improving the overall experience for BART passengers. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for transportation systems to adapt and provide riders with efficient and user-friendly options. Embracing the Clipper card system aligns with this goal, ensuring a smooth and seamless payment process for all BART commuters. While we bid adieu to the legacy of paper tickets, we welcome the era of Clipper cards, empowering BART riders with a modern and efficient way to pay for their journeys. Let’s embrace this change and enjoy the convenience and ease that the Clipper card system brings to our daily commute.