Category Archives: Bay Area

Bay Area

Caltrain cancels mobile app

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October 31 is the last day the Caltrain mobile app can be used to pay for train fares and parking at Caltrain stations. After that date, the app will no longer operate because the contract between Caltrain and the app provider will expire and not be renewed for several reasons.

One major reason for the non-renewal is that, as part of an agreement with MTC to support Clipper 2.0, individual transit agencies must discontinue separate ticketing apps that compete with Clipper. The new version of Clipper will offer features such as tap-and-ride with contactless debit and credit cards, recently implemented by BART, as well as transfer discounts between transit agencies. However, the Clipper 2.0 project has been delayed overall.

Even with Clipper 2.0, some features of the old app will not be replicated, such as the ability to purchase tickets for groups—including families—especially those eligible for discount categories like youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Riders in these categories must apply for a personalized discounted Clipper card to receive discounts on Clipper; otherwise, discounts will not apply, though they can still board buses or Caltrain and pay discounted fares. Without the app or Clipper, these riders can purchase discounted paper tickets from ticket vending machines at stations.

The app has also been used for parking payments at Caltrain stations. Starting in November, parking payments at Caltrain stations can be made with the ParkMobile App or by paying at a ticket vending machine.

Bay Area

Richmond-San Rafael bridge to close bike/ped path on Monday-Thursday

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Following a decision by the Bay Area Toll Authority, and despite opposition from cycling advocates, a bike and pedestrian path that was previously open 24/7 since 2019 will now only be accessible from Thursday afternoon through Sunday night. The path, located on the upper deck of the bridge, is protected by a movable concrete barrier, similar to those on the Golden Gate Bridge that separate northbound and southbound automobile traffic. Before the path opens or after it closes, a zipper truck moves the barrier to or from the side of the bridge. The current plan aims to create an emergency shoulder for disabled vehicles, helping to smooth traffic during commute times. In the long term, this emergency shoulder could be converted into a high-occupancy lane.

The decision is controversial because it limits bike and pedestrian access to the bridge, even if only part-time, while advocacy groups are working to expand such access on other bridges, like the Bay Bridge West Span, that currently lack it. Critics argue that BATA and MTC should not prioritize more cars due to automobile-related pollution. However, not everyone shares this view; many Richmond residents believe improving automobile traffic on the bridge will enhance job opportunities and improve social equity. The weekday bike traffic over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is less than one-third of the weekend traffic. On weekends, 30 to 50 bikes can cross the bridge during the busiest hour, whereas weekday bike traffic remains in the single digits. The plan preserves the ability to cross the bridge by bike on weekends, mainly for recreational purposes.

As a mitigation measure, a free bike shuttle will be implemented during daytime from Monday morning through Thursday afternoon.

Bay Area, Chicago

Chicago’s Metra to introduce café car

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This week, Metra is introducing the café car, a prototype service with half a gallery car converted into café-style seating and tables. During the trial period, snacks and drinks will be offered for free as riders complete an onboard survey. The car will rotate among different diesel lines throughout the fall. Metra aims to determine whether this is a viable method to boost ridership.

Onboard cafés are common on intercity trains, offering food and beverage service for long journeys, as well as on ferries. However, onboard food sales are uncommon on commuter or regional trains. In the Bay Area, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit featured a food and beverage service counter on all trains. Sales were available before the COVID pandemic, but the service has not resumed since.

Controversially, Amtrak San Joaquins’ intercity service dropped café car service in May 2025 in favor of complimentary snacks and drinks. The main reason for dropping the service was the introduction of single-level Venture cars that lacked such features. While bi-levels are still operated on the line, café car service is not available to ensure consistent food service across all trains, regardless of train type. Despite being freely available to all passengers, some consider the food options unsatisfactory for long journeys. Additionally, without café cars, adult passengers cannot purchase nor consume alcohol.

Bay Area

BART introduces Tap and Ride, allowing payment with contactless credit and debit cards

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On August 20, BART introduces “Tap and Ride,” allowing contactless credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay, for fare payment. This simplifies the previous process where riders had to purchase a Clipper card at stations or set up a Clipper account on their phones. With this new system, riders can pay by simply tapping their credit or debit card at the Clipper reader when entering and exiting the faregates.

Currently, the “Tap and Ride” scheme is available only on BART and for full adult fares. Riders planning to transfer to other transit systems should continue using the Clipper card or app. Those eligible for discount fares should apply for senior, youth, or disabled (RTC) discount Clipper cards, which require verification.

With “Tap and Ride,” there are some changes for current Clipper card users. Previously, Clipper users could tap with their wallet. Now, riders should remove their Clipper card and tap separately if other cards are in their wallet to avoid interference with the readers. For those using Clipper on Apple Pay, “Express Mode” should be selected so transit fare payment defaults to the Clipper card automatically. Like the Clipper card and previously the magnetic BART fare card, each rider should use a separate card or phone to enter and exit the fare gates. The same card or phone must be used for both entry and exit.

Additionally, with contactless card payment, riders have a 30-minute window to tap out of the same station to avoid an excursion fare in case of service disruptions. This feature is not available with Clipper until the Clipper 2.0 system fully rolls out.

“Tap and Ride” open payment is a highly anticipated feature promised by the Clipper 2.0 project, which aims to modernize a fare payment system based on aging 2000s-era technology. Those features will eventually be rolled out to other transit agencies. Beyond the Bay Area, the State of California is assisting other transit agencies statewide accept contactless card payments through the California Integrated Travel Project.

Bay Area

BART to adjust schedules on Aug 11 to improve transfers

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On Monday, August 11, BART will implement minor schedule changes to improve transfers with connecting transit systems. While the basic frequencies remain largely the same, the times have shifted. With the new schedules, connection times between mainline trains and DMU eBART at Pittsburg/Bay Point will be reduced, and connections at Millbrae with Caltrain will be more reliable.

This is one of several initiatives BART and other agencies have undertaken to boost ridership in the post-COVID era. Although coordinated schedules between transit agencies are highly desirable, it takes months of staff work to share draft schedules and collaborate with labor groups to ensure all changes occur on the same weekend.

Strongly advocated by rider interest groups like Seamless Bay Area, coordinating schedules is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost transit ridership with minimal costs, as it doesn’t necessarily require additional operating resources. It significantly reduces wait times and overall travel time for riders.