Clipper Card Tips and Transfer a Caltrain Go Pass to the app

On this page

• What to do if your card isn't tagging properly
• Your physical or mobile Clipper card continues to be valid as long as you remain eligible
• Request a new Clipper card if your Stanford affiliation has changed
• Consider loading cash value to your Clipper card
• Transfer my CalTrain Go Pass to the app on my mobile device. 

1. What to do if your card isn't tagging properly

If tagging on is unsuccessful, your cash value could be deducted or you could be subject to citation. To avoid this, don't assume your tag was successful at a Clipper card reader. Pay attention, and make sure the card reader says "TRAVEL OK, PASS USED." If it doesn't, here's what you should do:First, make sure that you present your card or mobile device flat against the screen and hold it there for a few seconds.

Second, try another Clipper card reader and make sure to hold your card flat against the Clipper logo on the reader. Watch our video to learn how to tag on and off with your Clipper card.

Third, if you are still unable to tag on successfully, remove it from any plastic holder and ensure it isn't next to another card, such as your Stanford ID, then try to tag on again. Do you have a new Clipper card and wonder if the passes are active? When you receive a Clipper card directly from Stanford Transportation, your transit passes are active when you receive it. However, if you purchased your Clipper card from a retail location, please allow three to five days for passes to be activated after Stanford Transportation uploads the passes. You may also want to confirm that the provider or Clipper activated the card when you purchased it. You can call Clipper at 877.878.8883 to confirm.

2. Your physical or mobile Clipper card continues to be valid as long as you remain eligible

As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the Stanford transit pass programs, your pass(es) will remain active. The Caltrain Go Pass is reactivated every four months (April, August, December) to avoid Clipper's 180-day deactivation policy. The VTA SmartPass and AC Transit EasyPass are renewed each calendar year.

You can confirm your eligibility and transit pass status at any time through the Transit Pass Eligibility and Status Checker.

Even if you are not commuting, you do not need to take any action. If and when you are riding Caltrain, please remember to tag on and off to avoid a citation.

3. Request a new Clipper card if your Stanford affiliation has changed

Changes in affiliation can result in a deactivation. Here's what you need to know:

• If you switch affiliations (e.g., postdoctoral scholar to employee or hospital employee to university employee), the Stanford-issued pass(es) on your Clipper card will be deactivated even if you continue to be eligible for Stanford-issued transit pass(es).
• It is your responsibility to request new passes and a new card if you wish to continue using your transit pass(es), since we do not have a way to identify your change in status.
• To request your new transit pass(es) after a change in Stanford affiliation, please fill out our request form.
• Your pass(es) must be preloaded to a new card. We are unable to put your pass(es) on your original Clipper card.

If you have questions, please contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu.

4. Consider loading cash value to your Clipper card

The best way to test if it's active, is to try tagging on or check the "passes" section of the Clipper app. The pass(es) will not appear under "passes" on the Clipper site.

In the event that the transit pass(es) on your Clipper card do not work when you tag on, we recommend that you have cash value loaded onto your card as a backup and to avoid a potential citation.

Please note that your transit pass(es) automatically supersede any cash value loaded onto your card. Cash value should not be deducted when you tag on with a Clipper card that has active transit pass(es). However, it is a good practice to check your charges in case your tag-on was unsuccessful.

To check your transaction history in the Clipper portal:

• Log in to the Clipper portal. If this is your first time using the Clipper portal, you will have to register your Clipper card before logging in.
• Select "More Options" under the relevant Clipper card.
• Click "View Activity."
• Select the date range that you would like to review.

Please note that if you plan to use it to pay fares on Bay Area Transit services for which you do not have an associated transit pass, your Clipper card must have cash value loaded.

Benefits-eligible employees may use pre-tax dollars through the payroll deduction program to help reduce out of pocket expenses for transit fares.

If you have verified your transaction history and found that your pre-loaded cash value is being deducted, please contact us within two weeks of the erroneous charges at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.

5. Transfer my Caltrain Go Pass to the app

To use your Go Pass on your phone, here’s what to do:

• Be aware that the VTA SmartPass cannot be transferred to the app at this time. Once you convert your plastic card to the Clipper on Your Phone app, you can no longer use your SmartPass or your plastic Clipper card for transit.
  • The EasyPass can be added to your mobile wallet, however we do not recommend it because of numerous reported error with digitized passes.
• If you still want to proceed, purchase a new Clipper card. 
• Request a replacement Go Pass using Option 2 on our Transit Pass Replacement form. The replacement Go Pass will take three to five working days to be activated. Please purchase transit fare if you need to ride transit during this time.
• Once you receive an email that your replacement Go Pass has been activated, you can transfer your purchased plastic card to your mobile device. Visit Clipper’s site for instructions on transferring your Clipper card as an iPhone or Android user. 
• Your Clipper card will be permanently deactivated. Transit passes cannot be loaded to this card. 
• To use Clipper on your phone, tag your phone by holding it near a Clipper reader every time you tag on and off of transit. There's no need to open an app. Once you hear a single beep or see a green light, you’ve paid your fare and are good to go. If you hear three beeps or see a red light, it did not tag. You can try another reader, purchase a fare, or contact Clipper (877.878.8883) to resolve the issue.
• Be prepared to show your phone if an inspector asks to see your fare.

Please note:

• The following cannot be used on iPhone or Android phones for fare payment:
  • Cards with a VTA SmartPass
  • Bay Wheels Clipper cards
  • Blocked cards
  • TransLink cards
  • Cards with a Gator Pass
• Regional Transit Connection (RTC) customers can transfer their RTC cards to their phones for mobile payment, but they will need to keep their plastic cards for proof of eligibility if asked by a fare inspector.

Please visit the Clipper website on your phone for more information about Clipper.