Transform Applauds Bay Area Transit’s New Tap to Pay Option 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2025

Contact: Abibat Rahman-Davies, [email protected]

On December 10, 2025, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will roll out an easier way to pay for transit in the  Bay Area, allowing riders to tap any contactless credit or debit card or digital wallet. Previously, tap-to-pay was only available on BART.

Transform applauds this advance in fare collection, which will:

• Encourage more people to ride by removing a barrier to using public transit, allowing riders to hop on without loading money onto a Clipper card or having cash.
• Make it easier to pay as you go for transit, reducing the financial burden of transit costs.
• Adding an easy, efficient, and cost-effective method for transit providers to collect fares.
• Provide free and reduced transfers between Bay Area transit providers, providing a more affordable, synchronized transit system. 

“Tap-to-pay is a huge step forward for Bay Area transit that will boost ridership and improve the user experience,” said Abibat Rahman-Davies, Transform’s Transportation Policy Manager.  “With the free and reduced transfers, riders won’t have to think twice about transferring between systems — they’ll just pick whatever trip gets them there the fastest.” 

Abibat Rahman-Davies and Transform Executive Director Zack Deutsch-Gross will be at the press conference for the launch of tap-to-pay on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Embarcadero Station in San Francisco.

More access needed

Unfortunately, riders can’t access discounted fares or monthly passes through the tap-to-pay system —  yet. Transform’s report, Fair and Accessible Fares: Economic Justice in Transit, outlines the additional steps MTC should take to help all riders take advantage of the new system.

Rahman-Davies, the report’s author, said, “I hope to see fare discount options for students, seniors, and low-income riders added as soon as possible. Without these additions and features to support people without banking access, tap to pay risks leaving our most vulnerable riders behind.” 

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Transform works to ensure that people of all incomes thrive in a world safe from climate chaos. We envision vibrant neighborhoods, transformed by excellent, sustainable mobility options and affordable housing, where those historically impacted by racist disinvestment now have power and voice.