Heads up, BART riders! BART’s 50th anniversary is September 11, and the transit service is pulling out all the stops for a month-long celebration in honor of their loyal ridership. Clipper fares will be 50% off during the month of September, and there will be arcade games, an outdoor festival, and several live concerts happening around different stations.
September discount
Riders can enjoy a 50% discount on all published BART fares through the entire month of September, available when using a Clipper card. The fare will be automatically deducted when scanning your card at fare gates.
The discount is stackable with other Clipper discount cards, such as the following:
- Youth Clipper card (50% off for youth 5-18)
- Senior Clipper card (62.5% off for seniors 65+)
- Clipper START (20% off for qualifying low-income adult riders)
- RTC Clipper card (62.5% off for riders with qualifying disabilities).
Clipper cards cost $3 to purchase at an in-person BART vending machine, but you can get Clipper for free via Apple Wallet, Google Pay, or online with automatic reloading.
50th anniversary events and activities
Vintage arcade games
From 9am-5pm on September 3-9, riders can play free vintage arcade games on the concourse level of Powell St. Station. Games include Pac-Man, Galaga, Asteroids, and Space Invaders.
50th Birthday Party and Family Fun Festival
Lake Merritt Station Plaza will throw a family-friendly party on September 10 from 11am-4pm. Enjoy food trucks, live music, games, prizes, special guests, and a time capsule reveal from 1992.
Sound Tracks concerts
Free live concerts at several stations in September and October.
- September 21, 5-6:30pm, Downtown Berkeley Station
- September 28, 5-6:30pm, El Cerrito del Norte Station
- October 7, Glen Park Station (short story readings from BART Lines, time TBA)
50th anniversary merchandise
For the total BART-heads among us: you can now buy a commemorative 50th anniversary BART t-shirt to show your love! They’re also selling blue ticket stickers as an ode to the old-school paper ticket days. Get all your BART swag at railgoods.com.
Featured image: @coyah.hunt on Instagram