TAP card

TAP (Transit Access Pass)
Company type	Public transit fare system
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	2008
Founder	Los Angeles Metro
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Area served	Los Angeles County, California
Key people	Los Angeles Metro (operator)
Products	Contactless smart card, digital fare payment system
Owner	Los Angeles Metro
Website	www.taptogo.net

The TAP card (Transit Access Pass) serves as a contactless smart card facilitating automated fare payments across a majority of public transit providers within Los Angeles County, California. It is offered both as a physical card and digitally through Apple Wallet or a dedicated app compatible with Apple and Android platforms, removing the necessity to buy the $2 plastic version. The system, overseen by Los Angeles Metro, is produced by Cubic Transportation Systems.

Description

The tangible TAP card, available in blue or orange for reduced fare eligibility, is a credit card-sized contactless device that stores transit passes or cash balances. Its digital counterpart can be accessed via the TAP mobile app or Apple Wallet. Riders tap their card on readers installed on buses and at Metro Rail stations when boarding or transferring. Metro Rail operates under a proof-of-payment model, with random fare checks conducted using handheld devices.

Reloading cards is possible at ticket vending machines, authorized TAP retailers, customer service centers, or online. While the $2 physical card must be paired with fare media such as day passes or stored value, the electronic version is free but requires adding funds through mobile wallets. Since September 2014, TAP cards have also been sold onboard Metro buses. The validity period for TAP cards ranges from three to ten years after issuance.

Most transit operators distribute passes via the TAP website. Metro has replaced traditional monthly, weekly, and day passes with a fare capping mechanism. Stored value additions are available at rail vending machines, retail outlets, and online platforms. Some non-Metro agencies offer transfers compatible with Metro’s TAP readers; their cards are sold through their respective offices or online.

Several Southern California transit providers have not yet integrated TAP into their systems, as participation remains optional and is not directly linked to Metro funding or transfer agreements.

History

Prior to the introduction of TAP, a magnetic stripe card known as the Metrocard was launched in 1993 on Culver CityBus and later extended to Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. The Metrocard supported stored value functionality and was compatible with GFI Genfare fareboxes. This initiative, called the Universal Fare System (UFS), aimed to implement a unified fare system across the county. Subsequent enhancements added monthly and day pass options.

TAP’s initial trials involved UCLA students, select businesses through A-TAP and B-TAP programs, and Metro employees. A pilot program limited to 2,000 participants ran for two months starting in October 2007. The public rollout occurred in February 2008 as a complimentary upgrade for monthly pass holders and replaced stored-value Metrocards on Culver CityBus. Santa Monica Big Blue Bus opted out of UFS in 2006 and converted their Metrocards for internal use only. Other agencies such as Foothill Transit and Norwalk Transit completed their transition from Metrocard to TAP by 2009.

Starting March 15, 2009, TAP incorporated Metro’s 24-hour passes, which were subsequently replaced by fare capping. Cards for seniors and disabled riders began distribution in January 2009 with mandatory adoption enforced by December 2010.

By August 2011, all Metro multi-day passes had been converted to TAP cards; monthly and weekly passes were restructured into 30-day and 7-day passes activated upon first use.

From September 2012 onward, all Metro Rail fares became exclusively payable via TAP; paper tickets were phased out except for municipal transfers that also transitioned to TAP. The physical card fee remained $2.

Between June 2013 and June 2014, fare gates at forty Metro stations were configured to open only upon valid TAP card presentation. By 2018, additional agencies adopted media compatible with TAP.

Effective July 15, 2018, paper interagency transfers and temporary TAP cards used for Metro Rail transfers were discontinued. Passengers are required to use a TAP card loaded with Stored Value when boarding or transferring on buses or Metro Rail/Orange/Silver Lines; transfers continue to be free within a two-hour window.

On July 1, 2023, Metro implemented Fare Capping which eliminated traditional monthly, weekly, and day passes. The standard fare cap is set at $5 per day or $18 per week, with reduced caps available for eligible discounted riders. Once these limits are reached within the respective period, no additional charges are applied.

Design

The current TAP card design, launched in 2015, showcases a dark blue backdrop adorned with red and yellow circles alongside the TAP emblem. The reduced fare version is characterized by an orange background featuring a shaded palm tree motif. Previous iterations displayed simpler light blue and orange backgrounds, accompanied by the tagline "Smart. Simple. Secure."

Since 2012, Metro, LADOT, and other transit agencies have released special edition TAP cards celebrating various events such as CicLAvia, Metro Bike Share, Union Station’s 75th anniversary, the Los Angeles Marathon, and the dedication of Obama Boulevard. Collaborations extend to local academic institutions like UCLA and USC, professional sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as yearly commemorative cards for observances like Valentine's Day, LGBT Pride Month, Latino Heritage Month, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.

Features

TAP cards are accepted on multiple transit services including Metro Bus, Metro Rail, Metro Bike Share, and Micro transit options. Additionally, a digital TAP card version can be accessed via Apple Wallet and Android devices. In 2024, TAP implemented all-door boarding on buses to enhance trip efficiency and rider convenience.

Current

As of December 2023, 28 transit providers throughout Los Angeles County accept TAP cards:

Metrolink

The commuter rail service Metrolink does not utilize TAP for fare payment and has no intentions to integrate it. Instead, tickets incorporate an EZ Transit Pass QR code valid for one-way, round-trip, weekly, weekend, and monthly passes covering destinations within Los Angeles County. Riders present these tickets to bus operators or scan the QR codes at gated rail stations to access turnstiles.

Orange County Transportation Authority

Although the Orange County Transportation Authority does not employ TAP for fare collection, it accepts TAP cards on routes that serve Metrolink stations (including routes 1, 21, 24, 26, 29, 38, 43, 47/A, 50, 53, 54, 56, 57, 59, 70, 71, 83, 85, 86, 90, 91, 123, 143, 453, 472, 473, 480, 543, 553, 560, and 862) as well as at bus stops connecting with OCTA services.

TAP Plus

TAP Plus represents an advanced iteration of the Transit Access Pass platform, incorporating open payment capabilities alongside account-based transaction functionality. This system facilitates the management of diverse fare products, including GoPass and LIFE, across multiple transit providers, utilizing modernized validators installed at rail entry points and on buses.

Designed to streamline transit accessibility, TAP Plus offers versatile payment methods while prioritizing an enhanced user experience. Plans include gathering customer input and conducting usability testing during Summer 2024. The comprehensive rollout of open payment and account-based technology is scheduled for completion by 2026, aligning with preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Key Features:

Compatibility with various transit agencies and fare options
Integration of open payment technologies
Deployment of updated hardware and supporting infrastructure
Focus on improving user experience through feedback-driven improvements

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