Transit Access Pass

The TAP is a blue, or orange for reduced fare, credit-card-sized contactless stored value smartcard which can hold a Metro Pass or cash balance. The TAP card must be tapped on electronic readers to validate it when entering and transferring within the system. TAP readers are integrated in bus fareboxes and standalone readers are located just outside the paid area of Metro Rail stations. Because Metro Rail has a mix of barrier free and faregated areas, it operates on a proof-of-payment system: as such, Metro's fare inspectors randomly check using a wireless handheld unit to make sure TAP users have validated their card. The cards may be "recharged" in person from ticket vending machines in Metro Rail stations, at Metro Customer Service Centers or online. The card is designed to reduce the number of transactions at Customer Service Centers. The card costs $2 (or $1 from TVMs) and is only available with a fare media product (such as a day pass or stored value). Cards can also be purchased on Metro buses for $8 (since 15 September 2014), which include a 24-hour pass. TAP cards expire approximately 3–10 years from purchase.[2]

Currently Metro only sells monthly passes on the TAP web site, and sells monthly, weekly, and 24-hour passes at rail ticket vending machines. Stored value (cash purse) can be added onto the TAP card at rail ticket vending machines, retail locations, and online. Non-Metro agencies may sell transfers on TAP cards, which can be read by Metro TAP readers. For non-Metro operators, TAP cards are sold at their administrative offices or customer service centers.[3]

There are many agencies in Southern California which do not (yet) accept the TAP card. Transit agencies have been allowed to transition onto TAP at their own pace, and it is not a requirement for receiving Metro funding or participation in interagency transfer agreements. As a transition to full county-wide implementation of TAP, EZ transit passes are sold on TAP cards with a sticker denoting the month, for verification on non-TAP systems.

Prior to introduction of the TAP card, a magnetic stripe card called the Metrocard (not to be confused with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's card) was introduced in 1993 on Culver CityBus, with later expansion to Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. The fare card only offered stored value, and was compatible with GFI Genfare fareboxes used by these systems.[4] The program was dubbed the Universal Fare System, or UFS, for future implementation throughout Los Angeles County.[5] Later innovations expanded the magnetic stripe technology for monthly and day passes.

TAP was initially tested by UCLA students, select businesses (A-TAP and B-TAP program) and Metro staff. In October 2007, TAP had a two-month test program limited to the first 2,000 customers. TAP was rolled out to the general public in February 2008 as a free upgrade for monthly pass customers, and on February 11, 2008, to replace the stored value Metrocards for Culver CityBus riders.[6] Santa Monica Big Blue Bus opted out of the Universal Fare System program entirely and in 2006 converted their existing regional Metrocards to operate only within their system.[7] Other agencies, such as Foothill Transit and Norwalk Transit, transitioned from Metrocard to TAP in 2009.[8]

On March 15, 2009, TAP's scope was expanded to Metro 24-hour passes, which are now only sold on TAP cards on buses,[9] (although paper 24-hour passes were still able to be purchased at ticket vending machines until 2012). TAP cards were issued for seniors and the disabled beginning January 2009,[10] and all senior and disabled riders were required to obtain TAP cards by December 2010.[11]

In August 2011, all Metro multi-day passes were converted to TAP cards. The existing monthly and weekly passes were converted into 30 and 7 day passes, respectively, with the period beginning on the first tap after the pass is purchased.[12]

Effective September 2012, all Metro Rail fares are sold on TAP, and paper tickets are no longer sold, with the exception of municipal transfers. All EZ transit passes have been converted to TAP with a sticker denoting the month for non-TAP enabled systems. The fee for obtaining a TAP card at rail vending machines has decreased to $1, to match those on buses with a purchase of a 24-hour pass. The fee at customer service centers and at non-Metro agencies remains $2.[13]

Between June 19, 2013 and June 18, 2014[14] the faregates at 40 Metro stations were "latched" so they open only with a valid TAP card. To make the faregate system possible, other agencies that don't use TAP for fare collection now issue TAP-compatible interagency transfers[15] or use TAP-compatible fare media in 2013.

Effective July 15, 2018, paper-issued interagency transfers as well as temporary TAP cards used to transfer to Metro Rail have been discontinued. Passengers must use a TAP card with Stored Value to board the first bus or the Metro Rail/Orange/Silver Line, then use the TAP card to transfer to another bus or Metro Rail/Orange/Silver Line to complete the trip. On Metro buses and rail lines, transfers are free for up to two hours.

• Official TAP website