From OL Editorial Team

In an ongoing effort to make the Clipper Youth card more accessible to school students, AC Transit’s downtown Oakland ticket office will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 17.

The agency’s office at 1600 Franklin St. is normally closed on weekends, but this Saturday it will be open to make registration more convenient for youths.

The next day, on Sunday, Sept. 18, students also will be able to sign up for the card at a Clipper booth at Newark Celebration Days in Newark Community Park from noon to 4 p.m.

For many students, the Clipper Youth card is an essential part of their back-to-school supplies, largely because it is the only way to obtain an AC Transit 31-Day Youth pass.

With the $20 pass, which must be loaded onto the Clipper card, students are allowed an unlimited number of rides for 31 days. Otherwise, they must pay the $1.05 cash fare each time they board the bus. Aside from the savings, the cards are personalized with students’ photos and names. If lost or stolen, the cards are replaceable, giving both parents and students the peace of mind of not having to carry cash or fumble for exact change in order to board the bus.

Over the past month, AC Transit has held a series of community registration events specifically for youths in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Hayward and Richmond.

To be eligible for a Clipper Youth card, applicants must be 5 to 18 years of age and be able to show a birth certificate or other valid documentation.

For details on accepted documentation, visit www.actransit.org/back2school.

Clipper Youth cards also are routinely available at AC Transit’s ticket office,1600 Franklin St., in downtown Oakland, during regular business hours - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.