Low Income Wheels Riders Offered Discounted Fares

Livermore CA

15 February, 2021

10:44 PM

Description

Press release from The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA): Feb. 15, 2021 Low income riders on the Wheels bus system will become eligible for discounted fares beginning Monday January 25. Wheels is participating in a pilot program called Clipper START, which is administered by the Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The pilot will continue through the end of the year at a minimum. Riders interested in Clipper START can learn more about the program and apply online at clipperstartcard.com. The website guides customers through the application process, details what documents customers need to upload, and will save applicants' progress to allow them to return later to complete the application if necessary. Applicants to the pilot program can provide a copy of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Medi-Cal card, a county benefits eligibility letter, their Muni Lifeline card number or a copy of their last federal tax return to demonstrate their eligibility. Once approved, they will receive a personalized Clipper card that must be loaded with cash value before use. The Clipper START discounts are automatically applied whenever the card is used. On Wheels buses, the discount is 20 percent off of the regular $2.00 one-way fare. Clipper START is not a transit pass — it is a program that offers discounts for single rides on 22 participating Bay Area transit systems. Cards can only be obtained through the Clipper website and are not available at the Livermore Transit Center, the Wheels Administrative Office or at any of the other Tri-Valley retail locations where Clipper Cards are available. Income guidelines for the program are listed in the table on the following page. This press release was produced by The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA). The views expressed here are the author's own.