SFMTA restricts Free Muni eligibility to Bay Area Median Income | The Locally Times
The transit agency requires seniors and riders with disabilities to verify income against the Bay Area Median Income to maintain fare exemptions.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) now restricts Free Muni eligibility to residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities who earn at or below 100% of the Bay Area Median Income. The agency announced this change in a July 17, 2026, blog post, citing the need to manage the agency's operating deficit. ## Eligibility and Application Residents must verify income status to qualify for fare exemptions. Seniors and individuals with disabilities must apply online at SFMTA.com/FreeMuni or submit paper applications to the SFMTA Customer Service Center at 11 South Van Ness Avenue. Applicants with disabilities must obtain a Clipper Access Pass, a transit card for riders with qualifying disabilities, before applying for the program. The agency's public portal does not list the specific documentation required to prove income or the exact dollar amount of the Bay Area Median Income. ## Discount Programs Adults aged 19 to 64 qualify for the Clipper START program, which provides a 50% discount on single rides and monthly Muni passes. This discount applies to 27 transit systems across the Bay Area. Riders whose incomes exceed the median threshold for the Free Muni program receive a 50% discount on single rides and monthly passes instead of a full fare exemption. ## Fare Enforcement SFMTA requires riders who pay with cash on board to inform the driver of their eligibility status when entering the bus. Operators may request proof of age or disability documentation, and riders must provide exact change for cash transactions. Subway riders using the 50% discount must purchase tickets at cash-only vending machines. Clipper card users receive the discount automatically upon tapping their Senior or Clipper Access cards. ## Key Questions **Am I eligible for Free Muni?** Free Muni is limited to San Francisco residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities with incomes at or below 100% of the Bay Area Median Income. **What happens if my income exceeds the median level?** Seniors and people with disabilities with incomes above the Bay Area Median Income receive a 50% discount on single rides and monthly passes. **How do I apply for the Clipper START discount?** Adults aged 19 to 64 who meet income requirements can apply for the Clipper START card to receive a 50% discount on single rides and monthly passes.