EasyPass Clipper

The transit system has been heavily promoting Clipper

After I signed up for my classes at Berkeley City College, I noticed a "AC Translink" fee of $31.00. What was this fee? I immediately started Googling around for an explanation. It turned out that a proposition was passed during the May 2009 student election requiring all Peralta students carrying 9 or more units to pay $31 for an AC Transit EasyPass, which is now an EasyPass Clipper.

I wasn't sure whether I would use it because the BART station is just 5 blocks away and two stops from Downtown Berkeley. However, since I had to pay for it, I figured I would pick it up during the first week of school. Not so fast. It turned out that since I have been taking a class on Sundays at Merritt College and obtained a student ID there, my EasyPass Clipper was sent to Merritt for me. I ended up making a special trip to Merritt College, paid $2.00 for all day parking (all short term parking spots were taken), to pick up this card from the cashier's office.

The regular AC Transit fare is $2.00 or $2.25.

Since now I finally have this unlimited bus pass, I must take an advantage of it! Round trip BART fare from El Cerrito Plaza to Downtown Berkeley is $3.50 or I can use my pass and save $3.50. I looked up 511.org. It turned out that the bus with shortest ride to downtown Berkeley stops just a block away from home. It takes 17 minutes to get to downtown, and the bus comes about twice an hour. Awesome! I started taking the bus whenever possible. There are a lot more riders during commute hours, but during mid-day and evening, there are hardly anyone taking the bus. The bus now has a lot more room to accommodate people with disabilities. In fact, there are few regular seats compare to many years ago. The seats and buses are in very good shape and up to date. I was pretty impressed.

I also noticed how polite people are. The passengers almost always thank the driver as they get off. The bus drivers also wish the passengers to have a good day or evening. It's very pleasant. I feel like I am going on a trip somewhere just by taking the bus. This is a good feeling that I wouldn't have when I was trapped in that cubicle routine.