Payment plan for low-income customers, penalty waivers for all bridges, Express Lanes

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)’s Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) today launched a public information campaign to raise travelers’ awareness of two new programs available through the Bay Area FasTrak® customer service center to help people with overdue tolls, penalties and fees get out of debt.

Bay Area FasTrak® now offers a payment plan program for individuals with outstanding toll debt whose household income is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $60,000 for a family of four). The Bay Area Toll Payment Plan is open to all who have received toll violations on Bay Area bridges or express lanes. For those who qualify, violation penalties will be waived and any remaining balance of at least $100 can be paid off over time in the payment plan.

This program is intended to provide a way for people with overdue tolls, fees and penalties to get out of debt, and it is not limited to Bay Area residents.

Eligible participants may apply at the program website at bayareatollpaymentplan.org or by mailing or faxing a paper application. Both the website and the paper application are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.

To ensure those who are income eligible are aware of and have assistance applying for Bay Area Toll Payment Plan, BATA is conducting extensive outreach to social services and housing agencies, as well as to dozens of community-based organizations and other human services programs.

BATA and partner toll agencies last month also began offering full or partial one-time violation penalty waivers that are available to all customers, regardless of income. BATA, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District and MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority unit will waive all penalties associated with toll violations on their facilities on a one-time basis. The Alameda County Transportation Commission, the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Power Authority and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) each will waive one penalty per customer for toll violations on their Express Lane facilities.

The one-time penalty waivers will be available to customers through September 2024. To obtain a waiver or to find out if you have overdue toll violations, customers must call the Bay Area FasTrak® Customer Service center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655) and pay all outstanding tolls and any DMV fees owed. Eligible customers who choose to enter into a payment plan must make their first payment to receive the penalty waiver.

MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. BATA manages the Bay Area’s FasTrak electronic toll payment system and administers all toll revenue from the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges.

Chance at shark dive trip, $10 e-gift card for donors in August

Claims COVID vaccines don’t pose risk to blood transfusion patients

By Martin Gagliano, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross, Northern California Coastal Region

After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on.

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. Donors of all blood types can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench to celebrate a summer of sharks and help stave off a summer blood and platelet shortage. All who come to give through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Those who come to give throughout the month of August will also get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 1-15:

Contra Costa County

Brentwood

8/2/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Summerset at Brentwood III, 1581 Regent Drive

8/15/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic, 500 Fairview Avenue

Danville

8/4/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., The Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road

Hercules

8/4/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., City of Hercules, 102 Civic Drive

Pleasant Hill – Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

San Ramon

8/11/2023: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., San Ramon Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2260 Camino Ramon

Alameda County

Alameda

8/5/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alameda Community – Twin Towers United Methodist, 1411 Oak Street

Berkeley

8/10/2023: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Avenue

8/11/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street

Newark at Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

San Francisco – Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street, unless otherwise noted

8/1/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton Street

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.,

Santa Clara County

Gilroy

8/10/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gilroy, 7999 Miller Avenue

Los Altos

8/11/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Los Altos (Grant Road), 1300 Grant Road

Morgan Hill

8/8/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Morgan Hill, 1790 E. Dunne Avenue

Mountain View

8/2/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Intersect at Mountain View Chinese Christian Church, 175 E. Dana Street

San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street (unless otherwise noted)

8/1/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/2/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 467 North White Road

8/2/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/3/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/4/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Christian Church, 2555 Meridian Avenue

8/5/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/6/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/7/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/8/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/9/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Administrative Office Building (AOB), Building H, 2325 Enborg Lane

8/9/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/10/2023: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.,

8/11/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/12/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/13/2023: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.,

8/14/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

8/15/2023: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements

Amplify your impact − volunteer!  

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.  

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and blood donations:

• Amid ongoing conversation about COVID-19 vaccinations and blood donation, America’s Blood Centers, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB), and the American Red Cross reiterate the safety of America’s blood supply and assure the public that vaccines do not pose a risk to patients receiving blood transfusions. 
• Blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for use in the U.S. are safe for transfusion. Similar to other vaccines such as those for measles, mumps or influenza, COVID-19 vaccines are designed to generate an immune response to help protect an individual from illness, but vaccine components themselves do not replicate through blood transfusions or alter a blood recipients’ DNA. 
• In summary, there is no scientific evidence that demonstrates adverse outcomes from the transfusions of blood products collected from vaccinated donors and, therefore, no medical reason to distinguish or separate blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID19 vaccination. 
• All blood collection organizations in the U.S. are required to follow Food and Drug Administration guidelines and regulations to collect, process and distribute blood products for patients in need. The FDA explicitly allows donors who have recently received approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines to give blood as long as they are healthy on the day of donation and meet all other eligibility criteria. On multiple occasions, the Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that there is no evidence to support concerns related to the safety of blood donated by vaccinated individuals. 
• All Americans, including both blood donors and blood recipients, should feel confident that receiving a blood transfusion is safe. COVID-19 vaccines do not replicate, and all blood donations offer the same life-saving therapeutic benefits, regardless of the vaccination status of the donor. 

Also, here is a joint statement from the AABB, the America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and the American Red Cross: https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/news/article/2023/01/30/blood-community-issues-new-joint-statement-to-combat-misinformation-regarding-vaccines-and-the-blood-supply

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The San Francisco/Bay Area First Family of Song

Where music is more than just a family affair

Of America’s Got Talent and JCPenney TV commercial fame!

DOORS OPEN: 6:30PM   SHOW: 7:00PM

Tickets: $35 General Admission. $69 Premier Seating & Early Entry at 6:00 p.m. – available at THE CURTIS FAMILY C-NOTES – 2023-05-14 – – Yoshi’s – Oakland CA (yoshis.com)

As seen on TV, television commercials and shows like, America’s Got Talent, known to the world as The Curtis Family C-notes, a family band, where music is more than just a family affair, it’s a way of life, with the mother, father, and their five children (Mama C, Papa C, Zahara, Nile, Isis, Kiki and Phoenix). Papa C aka Maestro Curtis, a seasoned veteran in the music industry has produced and performed with icons like Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire), played with the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestra, to name a few. His wife, Nola Curtis aka Mama C, a seasoned performer in her own right, has made her mark as a vocalist and professional figure skater. Along with their five children have become known as a multitalented gifted band of seven.

The family recently released their debut album, “Awaken”, that was submitted in the first round of voting to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) by Grammy music director, Larry Batiste, for consideration for Best R&B album of the year. The San Francisco Standard sponsored their CD release party, where Mayor London Breed, community leaders, music industry legends like Lenny Williams of Tower of Power and others were in attendance, in fact, the Mayor MC’ed the introduction of the family that night.

The Curtis Family members are committed community activists who focus on helping seniors, youth and the homeless. The Family has performed for the Golden State Warriors, the San Francisco Giants, America’s Got Talent and for political leaders and dignitaries from around the world. The Curtis Family has the distinction of being dubbed “The San Francisco/Bay Area First Family of Song”. The band was sought out by one of the biggest retail giants in the country, JCPenney, to make a 2021 Christmas Holiday commercial which aired for weeks, both nationally and internationally singing “Joy, Comfort and Peace”. At present the family is being vetted for their own television sitcom by major network and film producers. (See video slide show of some of their work)

Maestro Curtis PhD, and his wife Nola are proud faculty members of the San Francisco Community Music Center where all 5 of their children are also students; they all take pride in being a part of an institution that ensures high quality music education that is accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, regardless of financial means. (www.sfcmc.org mission statement excerpt)

For more information on this family and its members: www.thecurtisfamilycnotes.com

Yoshi’s is located at 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland. For more information visit www.yoshis.com or call (510) 238-9200

Paid Advertisement

By Harlo Pippenger, Consultant, San Francisco Bay Ferry

San Francisco Bay Ferry is proud to sponsor the 6th Annual Black Joy Parade in Oakland, a hyper-positive celebration of the Black experience and community during Black History Month. Visit their booth at the festival to learn more about getting around the Bay Area and California by ferry.

San Francisco Bay Ferry offers daily service connecting San Francisco to Oakland’s Jack London Square, a short distance from the Black Joy Parade and Festival.

WHAT: The Black Joy Parade is an annual event featuring a festival and procession that brings together the community to highlight Black joy past, present, and future. The parade includes live music, art, vendors of all kinds, food, games, sponsor activations, dance, and more.

WHO: Black Joy Parade, sponsored by San Francisco Bay Ferry

WHEN: Sunday, February 26, 2023. Parade starts at 12:30pm, festival starts at 12pm.

WHERE: Downtown Oakland, CA. The parade begins at 14th and Franklin Streets in downtown Oakland. Festival entrance is at 19th and Franklin Streets.

Begins January 21st

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

CONTRA COSTA, STANISLAUS, AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES— Explore some of the East Bay’s premiere hiking and natural areas with Save Mount Diablo in 2023, including places rarely open to the public. The Discover Diablo outings series offers guided hikes, themed walks, and other outdoor activities: mountain biking; rock climbing; trail running; meditation in nature; plein air painting events; and property tours. All are free to the public. Trailblazers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to choose appropriate outings from our extensive offerings.

In response to growing demand, Save Mount Diablo is offering a total of 36 excursions. The ever-popular tarantula walk will be offered twice, and we are offering two plein air painting walks, two meditation hikes, and a trail run in 2023.

We will also be offering rock-climbing outings, mountain-biking events, and bilingual hikes in Spanish and English.

Generously sponsored by the Martinez Refining Company, the 2023 Discover Diablo free public hikes and outings series will begin on January 21.

“Through the Discover Diablo series, people are fortunate to be able to explore and discover the beauty of Mount Diablo with experienced guides,” said Ann Notarangelo, Community Relations Manager for the Martinez Refining Company. “Our refinery has sponsored these hikes since 2017 in the hopes people will enjoy learning more about the mountain, while spending quality time with family and friends.”

The Discover Diablo program was started by Save Mount Diablo in 2017 to connect local communities with the spectacular natural world of the Mount Diablo area and to build awareness about land conservation.

Hikes and outings take place on one of Save Mount Diablo’s conserved properties or on park lands in the Diablo Range. These include Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation, Stanislaus County, and National Park Service lands.

Discover Diablo hikes are guided by experts steeped in the natural history and lore of the region, who both educate and entertain while emphasizing the breathtaking beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

Save Mount Diablo hopes the Discover Diablo series will spark a passion for the Diablo Range and deepen people’s connections to the land and nature. All Discover Diablo hikes are subject to, and will honor, all applicable COVID-19–related restrictions then in place for our area.

According to Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people, Save Mount Diablo, and the land, helping our communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants, as that is what it will take to ensure the precious Mount Diablo associated natural areas are taken care of for generations to come.”

There is something for us all to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo and within its sustaining Diablo Range, so be sure to hit the trails in 2023 and find your own individual inspiration!

RSVP required. To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend, registration for hikes and outings in March onward will open two months prior to each hike’s date.

See our schedule of upcoming hikes and outings below or view and RSVP online here:  https://savemountdiablo.org/what-we-do/educating-and-inspiring-people/discover-diablo-hikes-outings/

You can also download and print a flyer of the schedule here: http://bit.ly/DiscoverDiablo

Questions about hike program details and RSVP information: Denise Castro, Education and Outreach Associate, Save Mount Diablo C: 925-286-9327, dcastro@savemountdiablo.org

Join the Challenge

The 6th Annual San Francisco Bay Area Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge™ is a self-paced hiking and trail running challenge up six iconic Bay Area mountains.

You choose whether you want to complete them in six days, six weeks or take the entire year. Set the schedule that works best for you.

The peaks include Mt. Umunhum – elevation 3,486 feet, Mt. Saint Helena – elevation 4,341 feet, Mt. Diablo – elevation 3,849 feet, Mt. Tamalpais – elevation 2,572 feet, Mt. Sizer – elevation 3,215 feet and Rose Peak – elevation 3,817 feet. Plus, new for 2023 a seventh peak, Berryessa Peak – elevation 3,041 feet.

You can climb them in order as you build your strength and endurance or mix it up. The choice is yours. Your registration will help support Big City Mountaineers, so you’ll be doing good for others with each peak you climb.

$50.00 Registration includes:

• Welcome Packet with instructions on logging your hikes and personalizing your profile
• Leave No Trace reference card
• 2023 Bay Area Hiker Tag
• 2023 NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge sticker pack
• Access to the challenger-only hike log. Log your Six-Pack hikes and share photos on SocialHiker.net. Hike them solo, with friends, or with a group. Hike at your own pace and schedule, but hike them between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
• Personalize profile to track your progress.
• Earn virtual badges for each Six-Pack hike you complete. And you might pick-up a few surprise badges along the way!
• Connect with other challengers. You can share hike logs, post photos and add comments in the activity stream.
• Exclusive access to our challengers-only discussion forumwhere you can connect with other challengers and pick up advice for successfully hiking each of the six hikes.
• Monthly gear giveaways
• Peak reports and training tips

Hike and log all the Six-Pack peaks between January 1 and December 31, 2023 and you’ll earn the coveted Finisher Pin and a chance to win the grand prize in our gear giveaway.

This registration is for adults 18 years or older. If you are a parent or guardian registering a minor, click here.

For more details and to register for the challenge visit https://socialhiker.net/six-pack-peaks-challenge/san-francisco-bay-area/.

 

Don’t drop the ball on safety, savings or convenience

By John Goodwin, MTC

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area transit agencies encourage residents and visitors planning a night on the town to celebrate the new year this weekend to:

• Travel by bus, train or ferry. Several Bay Area transit agencies — including BART —will extend their usual operating hours Saturday night and early Sunday morning to accommodate New Year’s Eve revelers.
• Avoid long lines at the station by adding a Clipper card to your phone’s digital wallet ahead of time. No app fee is required, and customers can instantly load cash value with their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. For those who already have Clipper, make sure you have your round-trip fare loaded before boarding.
• Go to clippercard.com and visit Clipper’s Apple Pay or Google Pay pages for more information, including step-by-step instructions on how to add a new Clipper card to your iPhone or Android system phone running Android 5 or later.

Clipper will waive the standard $3 new-card fee for customers who choose Clipper on their mobile phone. The $3 fee will be charged to customers who opt for a traditional plastic card. MTC reminds travelers riding on BART that each rider age 5 or older needs their own Clipper card to pay the BART fare.

MTC is the transportation planning, funding and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC operates the Clipper system on behalf of the region’s transit agencies.