Some riders of Sonoma County Transit are receiving an early Christmas present, courtesy of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

The board this month extended the county’s participation in the Clipper START program, which offers means-based discounts to eligible adult transit customers. Beginning Jan. 1, Sonoma County Transit will increase its discount to 50 percent for eligible adults, county officials said in a statement.

Since 2020, Sonoma County Transit has offered a 20 percent discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Fare discounts offered by participating Bay Area transit systems under the Clipper START program are shown in a screenshot of the Clipper START homepage. Sonoma County Transit will increase its discount for eligible riders to 50 percent starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Image via clipperstartcard.com)

Those who are eligible also must have residency in one of the nine Bay Area counties; be between the ages of 19 and 64; and must not already have a Regional Transit Connection Clipper Card for people with disabilities.

The program is implemented by electronic fare payment system Clipper on all transit systems in the Bay Area. Eligible adults will receive a personalized Clipper card that can be used for single-ride discounts on all transit systems in the region after they provide proof of identity and proof of income.