County Connection joins the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), BART, and transit partners across the Bay Area in preparing for the launch of Next Generation Clipper (Clipper 2.0) — a major upgrade to the region’s contactless fare payment system. The new system officially goes live on December 10, 2025, beginning an 8–12-week transition period that will bring faster, more flexible, and more connected fare payment options to riders.
Clipper, managed by MTC and accepted by 24 Bay Area transit agencies, has been a cornerstone of regional travel for decades. County Connection was one of the earliest adopters, partnering with BART on a pilot in 1993 that used paper mag-stripe tickets. Today, 81% of County Connection fares are paid using Clipper—one of the highest adoption rates in the region, behind only BART and Golden Gate Ferry.
What’s New with Clipper 2.0
The upcoming Clipper 2.0 system represents a complete modernization of the region’s fare network, including new hardware, software, and customer tools. Among its many improvements:
- Cloud-Based System & Instant Value:
Stored value and passes will now be kept in the cloud rather than on the card itself. Riders will be able to use added funds instantly, eliminating current delays of up to five days when reloading online. - Tap and Ride Convenience:
Riders will be able to pay adult fares directly using contactless credit or debit cards or mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay—no Clipper card required. County Connection riders can tap their phone, watch, or card to board, joining BART as part of the Bay Area’s growing Tap and Ride network. - Seamless Interagency Transfers:
For the first time, passengers transferring between any Bay Area transit agencies will receive a transfer discount of up to $2.85 within a two-hour window. For example, a rider traveling from San Francisco State University to Diablo Valley College via Muni, BART, and County Connection will now receive transfer discounts across each leg of the trip—potentially riding County Connection for free. - Family Management:
Clipper’s new app will allow families to manage multiple Clipper cards from a single device. - Online Youth and Senior Cards:
Riders will soon be able to apply for youth and senior Clipper cards online, streamlining access to regional discounted fares. - Institutional and Promotional Passes:
County Connection will gain flexibility to administer multiple institutional pass programs through Clipper, such as the Bishop Ranch ECO Pass currently used by Bishop Ranch employees.
County Connection’s Preparation Efforts
County Connection has spent the past two years preparing for the transition:
- All buses are now equipped with Clipper 2.0-ready card readers, and staff training on the new Customer Service Terminal is underway.
- County Connection has worked with MTC on an interagency transfer pilot, ensuring riders will receive discounts across agencies beginning in December.
- County Connection staff and MTC are collaborating with Sunset Development (owner of Bishop Ranch) to migrate the ECO Pass program into the new system.
What Riders Need to Know
- Card Upgrade Timeline: Beginning December 10, existing Clipper cards will be upgraded to the new system over 8–12 weeks. Riders can speed up the process by logging into clippercard.com, using the Clipper app, or calling Clipper Customer Service (877.878.8883) to initiate the upgrade manually.
- Avoiding “Card Clash”: With multiple contactless payment options, riders should remove their Clipper or bank card from their wallet or purse when tapping to ensure the correct card is charged.
County Connection’s Marketing team will work closely with MTC on an outreach campaign to educate riders about these changes through social media, onboard signage, newsletters, and digital screens.
Looking Ahead
“The Clipper system connects all the public transit systems in the Bay Area together using one fare card to go anywhere,” said Bill Churchill, County Connection’s General Manager. “Clipper 2.0 will make riding transit convenient, simple, and more connected than ever before.”
For more information on Clipper 2.0, visit www.clippercard.com.