Beginning this fall, UC Berkeley is introducing the AC Transit EasyPass Clipper card for undergraduate and graduate students. The unlimited AC Transit ridership privileges previously accessed via the Class Pass sticker affixed to the Cal 1 Card photo ID each semester will now be accessed via an electronic Class Pass which will be loaded onto the AC Transit EasyPass Clipper card. The AC Transit EasyPass Clipper card will be available for pickup from the Cal 1 Card office starting on the first day of the semester, August 17, 2016.

All students will first be required to accept the applicable terms and conditions by logging into their Cal 1 Card account. Once this requirement has been met:

  • August 17 – August 21: students who already have a Cal 1 Card may obtain the AC Transit Easy Pass Clipper card inside the main Cal 1 Card office.
  • Starting August 22: students who already have a Cal 1 Card may obtain the AC Transit EasyPass Clipper Card at external distribution tables adjacent to the Cal 1 Card office
  • Students who have not yet been issued a Cal 1 Card will have to first obtain a Cal 1 Card in the Cal 1 Card office

clipper graphicThe primary benefit of this transition is that continuing students will be able to access their unlimited AC Transit ridership privileges without having to stand in long lines each semester to obtain a new sticker. Regretfully, the transition will at first result in slower moving lines and longer wait times than in prior semesters so please be prepared for that circumstance.

Another benefit of having the electronic Class Pass on the AC Transit Easy Pass Clipper card is that it can be loaded with cash value for use to pay for BART rides as well as other transit passes in the Bay Area (e.g. Muni Pass, etc.) And even though the Class Pass unlimited ridership privileges will be turned off upon graduation, the AC Transit EasyPass Clipper card will remain a fully functional Clipper card.

This transition is an exciting step toward the ultimate goal of incorporating the electronic Class Pass directly into the Cal 1 Card, creating a single card with both campus ID access and AC transit ridership privileges. Your patience and support is greatly appreciated as we strive to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Class Pass program.