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Pilot Program
Frequently Asked
Questions
Overview
Capitol Corridor is an Amtrak-operated intercity rail provider that runs between two major regions that use two different transit cards: the Bay Area (Clipper) and Sacramento (Connect Card). Neither Clipper nor Connect Card could be integrated with Amtrak’s federal and state ticketing requirements.
We want to bring a more convenient form of fare payment to our customers, so we are piloting accepting contactless debit cards/credit cards, the global standard for paying for goods and services. By accepting contactless debit cards/credit cards aboard Capitol Corridor, customers will be able to pay for a transit ride the same way they do for other everyday purchases—without stopping to download transit agency–specific apps, buy or reload multiple regional farecards, or juggle exact change. (And if a passenger does not have a contactless debit card, they can order a free one. See “How do I know if I have a contactless-enabled bank card?” below.)
Sign-Up and Payment Method
Cards that are contactless-enabled have the following symbol (on the front or the back) of them:
Many banks and financial institutions have switched to contactless cards to make payments safer, faster, and more secure for their customers. Check with your card issuer if you are unsure if your card is contactless.
If you do not have a contactless card, you can order a free contactless-enabled Cash App Card or Venmo Debit Card.
Traveling
Fares, Discounts, Rewards
When you Tap2Ride, you pay as you go until you hit a maximum combined fare—or fare cap—for taking 6 one-way trips between the same origin and destination stations within any week (Monday to Sunday).
After that, your rides will be free during the rest of that week (Monday to Sunday). To take advantage of fare capping during the pilot, you must always tap your registered contactless bank card on the payment reader, even after hitting the weekly cap.
Yes, to take advantage of fare capping (see above)—and redeem any free rides you earn in a Monday to Sunday week—you must always tap your registered contactless bank card on the payment reader (both when you board and before you disembark), even after hitting the weekly cap.
Tapping your card takes the place of a ticket by acting as proof of payment when an Amtrak conductor performs their fare inspection on your registered bank card, so please continue to tap in and out every time you ride on Capitol Corridor.