VTA introduces new Clipper mobile app to increase transportation accessibility

The Clipper mobile app allows users to search for nearby transportations.

With more accessible transportation methods, some students feel it is an effective way to promote environmental justice.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is implementing Clipper, a mobile app which can be used to pay fares on all Bay Area transit agencies and access other services.

Any adult, senior or youth Clipper Card can be transferred to a phone using the app — once transferred, the physical Clipper card can no longer be used to pay for transportation, including buses, rails, ferries and trains.

Online account management can be used to store payment information, set up automatic reloading, report and replace a lost card and download purchase histories.

“With a higher accessibility to the Clipper function and overall information on transit, I think many more people would be inclined to substitute their common individual transit with more public transportation,” senior Julian Berkowitz-Sklar said.

Youths ages 5 through 18 and seniors over the age of 65 are eligible for a free youth or senior Clipper card. These users receive fare discounts on services including monthly passes, ride books, tickets, cash value fares and transfers.

Some students like Berkowitz-Sklar expressed interest in using the app in consideration of current environmental threats.

“Especially in today’s age, there are so many people searching for ways to cut down on their carbon footprint but find it difficult to either find options or convenient ways of doing so,” he said. “I think the app is an amazing way to promote the use of transit over more environmentally damaging options.”