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Muni Extends Clipper Transition Deadline For Seniors, Youths

OAKLAND (KCBS)- Thousands of the youngest and oldest San Francisco public transit riders still don't have Clipper cards, forcing Muni to extend its deadline for phasing out discount fast passes. They had hoped to have it done by the end of this month.

The deadline for San Francisco Municipal Railway youth and senior monthly pass customers to switch to Clipper cards has been extended until May according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The extension was made to allow more time for youth and seniors to apply for and receive the cards, the agency said.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

Seniors and youth must begin buying their discount passes on the cards by the end of May. Monthly pass sales begin on the 17th of every month.

The agency said it has already issued almost 25,000 Muni Clipper cards to seniors and 9,000 to youth.

"We've had a lot of success with it so far," said Muni spokesman Paul Rose. "We've reached a lot of people, including seniors and youth, but we still have a gap to fill, and that's why we're extending the deadline."

The cards can be bought at vending machines in the nine Muni metro stations or online at www.clippercard.com. Still, some customers say Muni's not making it easy to get senior cards. Muni rider Ron Snider, 65, told KCBS that he went to three different locations to buy the card, and was turned away.

"You go into the MTA to get the Clipper card and you have to fill out a form before they tell you there's a two to three week wait, and then it will come through the mail," said Snider.

Clipper customer service can be reached at (877) 878-8883.
(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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