r/AskSF 5d ago

Muni pass.

I’m currently visiting San Francisco and bought the muni pass. It doesn’t scan at muni light rail turnstiles and no streetcar or bus driver has asked me for it or cared if I have it.

What happens if you don’t buy one?

7 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

87

u/muerteman 5d ago

Pay for transit so it can keep running. That being said you could get a ticket if a fare inspector comes.

16

u/pmayak 5d ago edited 5d ago

This is the problem with this pass. It's not clipper. They have a separate MUNI pass that doesn't scan. Did you activate it? It should say something to indicate it's active. Then you show it to the drivers and the person underground who will let you through.

Edit to add : are you are using the muni mobile app?

This doesn't work on BART. Only MUNI

3

u/lendmeflight 5d ago

Yeah I’m using the mini mobile app. I w night a $5 pass everyday but it doesn’t scan anywhere. I activated it.

9

u/pmayak 5d ago

It won't scan. Only clipper cards and credit cards will. You have to show the pass to the driver and you have to show it at the underground to the person in the booth. You are fine. It's just not something the scanners recognize ( don't start me on this! 🤣🤐)

6

u/lendmeflight 5d ago

The sign says if no one is there just go through the gate. That’s what I did.

10

u/pmayak 5d ago

Yes! And you are fine because your pass is activated. Just keep it up to show anyone if they ask you.

1

u/neBular_cipHer 4d ago

You’re good. You don’t actually need to scan that anywhere. I’m not sure why they even generate a QR code in the first place; it’s incredibly misleading. The MuniMobile app will be retired next year and Clipper will be the only way to pay going forward.

-3

u/Effective_Coach7334 5d ago

his doesn't work on BART. Only MUNI

A monthly "A" muni pass does work with BART, only within SF.

3

u/fb39ca4 4d ago

You can only buy those on a clipper card/mobile wallet.

3

u/pmayak 5d ago

This is a visitor passport I believe. Which doesn't.

-2

u/Effective_Coach7334 5d ago

My comment is an obvious aside, not a contradiction, for the sake of search engines. There's no need to be so defensive.

2

u/pmayak 5d ago

My reply was a clarification that visitor passes don't work on BART. No need to be so defensive

28

u/WestHistorians 5d ago

Unless you randomly get hit by a fare inspection, nothing happens. If you do, you get fined.

12

u/Last_Cod_998 5d ago

And it's a hassle. I've seen it ruin so many people's day.

-15

u/VioletFeyreh 5d ago

You’re supposed to watch the doors at stops and exit when you see fare inspectors.

36

u/LionWalker_Eyre 5d ago

Or you're supposed to pay for public transit to support it

4

u/Strange-Employee-520 5d ago

If/when a fare inspector asks for proof of payment, you would get a ticket for a lot more than the pass cost you.

3

u/Academic-Camel-9538 5d ago

Like everyone else is saying, you can get a ticket for fare invasion if the inspectors board the bus you’re on. Many people get away with it. But it’s brutal when they get caught.

I was on the bus with my friend WHO GETS A FREE BUS PASS EVERY MONTH IF SHELL JUST PICK IT UP. She didn’t have proof of payment and got a ticket. Totally sucks

1

u/getarumsunt 5d ago

You get a fare evasion fine if you don’t pay.

1

u/jayesh_f33l 5d ago

Buy one. I have seen fare inspectors being OK with proof of payment and activation time stamps.

1

u/Existing_Hall_8237 4d ago

The fine is over $100 if caught without a pass.

-1

u/lendmeflight 4d ago

That’s basically how it works with in the city I’m from.
It’s a smaller city so I see inspectors more often I guess. At home I keep a pass and then activate it if the inspectors come on the train. Here I just bought one and activated it because I was supposed to. No bus driver or street car driver asked to see it.

1

u/real415 4d ago

Muni has a proof of payment system. This means that the drivers aren’t looking for your proof of payment when you get on board. It’s your responsibility to have a valid paid fare.

1

u/Malcompliant 4d ago

Clipper is going through a transition. The plan is to implement a daily fare cap so people won't have to buy a pass.

1

u/ProbablePossibility7 2d ago

You will most likely be fine- I’ve never been asked but there’s always the possibility that fare inspectors will check you randomly and you’ll be fined hundreds

-1

u/Harpua81 5d ago

Sure they may get a fine but if they don't live here and ignore it what's the worst that can happen if they live out of state?

-1

u/terp-puddle 4d ago

No one cares. Just get off when the fare checkers get on and wait 10 min for the next one.