BART finally completes systemwide conversion. Refunds for paper tickets only for values over $1

BART has successfully transitioned all stations to offer Clipper as the only fare product available for purchase. BART began eliminating the sales of paper tickets in August of 2019 when a 4-station pilot program was launched.

The conversion was accelerated during the pandemic with one or more stations transitioned each week throughout 2020. Systemwide conversion was fully completed the week of December 7th.

This effort is part of BART’s 15-Step Plan to welcome riders back to a more contactless experience in the era of COVID-19.

Still have paper tickets? You can get a refund for any paper tickets by taking it to a station agent, but only if the remaining value is greater than $1.00.

Touchless Experience

BART is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Using Clipper helps this effort by allowing riders to avoid direct contact with fare gates, as the card only needs to be held over the fare gate card reader without touching. Riders can further protect themselves from contact with fare machines by loading funds onto their Clipper card online, allowing up to one day for the balance to post. For registered users, the Autoload feature will automatically replenish their Clipper balance.

While paper tickets will no longer be available for purchase at these stations, riders are still be able to use paper tickets to enter or exit through fare gates.  Riders are also able to add enough fare to a paper ticket to exit the station using add fare machines located inside the paid area.

SF’s Historic 157-Year Old Cliff House is Closing Permanently

Unfortunately, Cliff House just broke the sad news that they will be closing their doors at the end of the year. Their last day is December 31, 2020.

The closure is only partly due to the pandemic. The Cliff House points blame at the National Park Service for delaying a long term concession contact. The current proprietors have been operating the restaurants for over 47 years, four years before it became part of the National Park System.

Sadly, there won’t be any last meals served at the restaurant. The Cliff House, perched atop Ocean Beach, attempted takeout service for about 10 weeks during the pandemic, but decided it wasn’t viable.

Health officials warn SF may run of ICU bed by December 27 if we don’t slow the spread

If the Covid-19 numbers continue to escalate at the current rate, the ICU capacity will be maxed out by December 27.

As of December 10, there were 123 Covid-19 patients across San Francisco, with 30 of those in the ICU. Unfortunately, San Francisco is encountering its highest surge to date with numbers climbing higher and higher due to the recent Thanksgiving holiday.

SF is averaging 140 new cases per day vs October saw only 34 cases. The recent surge is happening statewide; California’s hospital beds are already at 75% capacity. If the trend continues, not only will we be out of hospital beds, but there also won’t be enough doctors and nurses to care for the patients, nor anywhere to transfer patients.

The situation is dire, so we must slow the spread and continue to Stay-At-Home, wear masks, and keep your distance.