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Making Metro More Affordable
Metro is creating a fare structure that’s simple and easy to use.
Metro is committed to providing a great rider experience for all of its customers. One key aspect of delivering on our vision is having a fare structure that’s easy to use, equitable and sustainable.
In December 2022, the Metro Board of Directors approved a new fare policy which will go into effect by Summer 2023. The new fare policy ensures that no rider ever overpays and our most frequent riders who rely on our system, pay less. The new fare policy will also benefit customers by capping how much riders will need to pay each day and week to ride buses and trains.
How Fare Capping Works
Under the new fare policy, Metro customers using a TAP card will pay as they go and will never pay more than $5 each day or $18 each week for unlimited rides – which is less than the regular price of Metro’s regular 7-Day and 30-Day passes.
Once customers reach the daily or weekly fare cap, they will not have to pay additional fares. The new policy will make 1-Day, 7-Day and 30-Day passes unnecessary, so they will be eliminated, making the fare structure less complicated for customers to use and for Metro to administer.
Key Highlights
- Metro fare for buses and trains remains at $1.75 (which includes a transfer for two hours and one direction between Metro buses and trains).
- With fare capping, you pay as you go on a TAP card — and when you reach the fare cap then you pay no more.
- 7-day caps are “rolling”, rather than fixed calendar days.
- Base fare for senior and disabled riders will remain $.75 (peak); $.035 (off-peak) including 2 hour free internal transfers.
- One base fare for all reduced fare categories; $.75.
- Our LIFE riders would continue to receive 20 free rides per month (with free transfers within two hours) and then pay per ride until they reach the daily or weekly cap. We’re doing this so that LIFE riders would no longer have to spend money to buy passes up front. LIFE riders will only pay for rides they take.
- No extra fare for the J (Silver) Line and express buses. Fares for the J Line and express buses would be the same as for all Metro buses and trains.
- 50 percent discounts to our regular daily, 7-day and 30-day passes until fare capping is implemented.
- A friendly reminder: to take advantage of fare capping you need to pay fares with a TAP card. We encourage all our cash-paying riders to get a TAP card — the savings for many of you will be significant.
- The new fare system removes the current additional fare to ride the J Line (Silver) and Express Bus Service.
The chart shows our current rider category in the left column, the current fare in the center column and the adopted fare in the right column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find more information below on the adopted fare changes.
Fare Capping
What is fare capping?
Fare capping allows customers to pay per ride using Stored Value on TAP. Once the dollar cap for the day or week has been met, customers can ride for free for the rest of the time period.
What are the benefits of fare capping?
You will no longer have to pay upfront for a pass for unlimited rides. You will only pay for each ride you take and once the dollar cap is reached, you ride free for the rest of the day or week. We think this is more equitable than the current system because riders never have to spend money buying a pass that they might not use.
Who is eligible for fare capping?
Any Metro rider with a TAP card can benefit from fare capping. We emphasize: you must have a TAP card to enjoy the benefits of fare capping. Those who pay with cash will not be able to enjoy the benefits of fare capping.
Do I have to register my TAP card in order to benefit from fare capping?
No, customers do not have to register their TAP card.
Do I need to buy a new TAP card to benefit from fare capping?
No.
Do I need a TAP card to benefit from fare capping?
- Yes, in order to benefit from fare capping, you must pay your fare with a TAP card and use that same TAP card to pay for any subsequent rides. Once you reach the daily or weekly dollar cap, use the same TAP card to receive your unlimited rides.
- Customers do not have to buy a new TAP card to benefit from fare capping.
- Where to buy/reload a TAP card:
- Online at taptogo.net
- On the TAP app, available in the App Store and Google Play
- By phone at 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646)
- At over 450 TAP Vendor Locations
- At TAP Vending Machines located at all Metro Rail, J (Silver) and G (Orange) Line stations
How will I know when I’ve reached the daily or weekly dollar cap?
When you tap on the bus fareboxes or TAP validators at rail stations, the display will show how much Stored Value is being deducted or whether the ride is free. More detailed information will be available on your TAP account on taptogo.net or on the TAP app.
Where can I see my progress toward the daily and weekly cap?
Your progress toward earning free rides can be found on bus fareboxes, TAP vending machines, by calling TAP Customer Service at 866.827.8646, on the TAP app and on taptogo.net (registered cardholders only).
What day of the week does the week cap start?
Why isn’t there a monthly cap?
Our data shows that having a weekly cap will offer the same benefits as a monthly cap — and will offer more flexibility for our riders.
Fare Changes- Passes and Transfers
| Rider Category & Fare Product | Current Pricing | Adopted 12/1/22 |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Fare | ||
| Base Fare | $1.75 | $1.75 |
| Day Pass / Daily Cap | $7.00 | $5.00 |
| 7-Day Pass / Weekly Cap | $25.00 | $18.00 |
| 30-Day Pass | $100.00 | Not Offered |
| 30-Day Pass Zone Upcharge | $22.00 | $0.00 |
| Senior/Disabled | ||
| Base Fare | $0.75/$0.35 | $0.75/$0.35 |
| Day Pass / Daily Cap | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| 7-Day Pass / Weekly Cap | Not Offered | $5.00 |
| 30-Day Pass | $20.00 | Not Offered |
| K-12 Student & College/Vocational | ||
| K-12 Base Fare | $1.00 | $0.75 |
| College/Vocational Base Fare | $1.75 | $0.75 |
| Day Pass / Daily Cap | Not Offered | $2.50 |
| 7-Day Pass / Weekly Cap | Not Offered | $6.00 |
| K-12 Student 30-Day Pass | $24.00 | Not Offered |
| College/Vocational 30-Day Pass | $43.00 | Not Offered |
| LIFE FREE Trips | 20 FREE | 20 FREE |
Fare Changes- Reduced Fare and LIFE Program
How will Metro LIFE riders be affected by these fare changes?
Metro LIFE riders will receive 20 rides for free each month, and once those are used, they can pay per ride until the daily or weekly dollar cap has been met. These changes will increase fare equity by allowing Metro LIFE riders to benefit from unlimited rides without having to pay the upfront cost of a pass. Our data shows that most LIFE riders take about 42 rides each month – meaning the average LIFE rider will only have to pay for fares one week each month.
I’m a senior rider, what happened to my Off-Peak fare?
The base fare for seniors and customers with disabilities will remain at .75 cents during peak hours and .35 cents during off-peak hours and the daily cap will remain at $2.50. Under the new plan, senior riders will now have access to a lower weekly cap at $5.
TAP Cards and General Information
How do I know what the expiration date is on my TAP card?
Your current TAP card is valid up to 10 years. TAP cards purchased after the new fare changes are implemented will be valid up to 15 years. You can verify your TAP card’s expiration at a TAP vending machine or by registering your card and signing into your TAP account on taptogo.net or in the TAP app.
I already have a TAP card, will the new expiration date apply to my card?
Only TAP cards purchased after the new fare changes are implemented will be valid up to 15 years. TAP cards purchased prior to the new fare change implementation will be valid up to 10 years from purchase. You can check your card’s expiration date at a TAP vending machine or by registering your card and signing into your TAP account on taptogo.net or in the TAP app.
I’m a cash customer, how do I get a TAP card?
Buying a TAP card is easy. TAP cards can be purchased at TAP vending machines at all Metro rail and busway stations, at Metro Customer Centers, at over 500 TAP vendors in LA County, online at taptogo.net or by phoning TAP Customer Service at 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646). The TAP app allows you to turn your smartphone into a virtual TAP card. For more info on getting a TAP card, click here. TAP cards can be reloaded with Stored Value at the above locations.
Where can I reload my TAP card?
- At a bus farebox
- TAP vending machines located at all Metro rail stations, the Metro J Line (Silver) and G Line (Orange) stations and the El Monte Station
- Over 500 TAP vendors in LA County
- Online at taptogo.net
- In the TAP app
- By calling TAP Customer Service at 866.827.8646
- For more details, please visit taptogo.net/TAPPurchase.
I’m a cash customer, and I want to remain anonymous. Can I still pay fare with a TAP card and remain anonymous?
Yes, you may purchase a TAP card and add fare onboard a bus, at a TAP vending machine, TAP Vendor or Metro Customer Care Center. No personal information is necessary to buy or reload these cards. You will remain anonymous unless you register your TAP card.
Can I load my TAP card on a bus?
Yes, the bus operator will load up to $20 of Stored Value onto your TAP card when you board the bus.
How do I use the TAP app to pay for my fare?
Once you download the TAP app from the App Store or Google Play store (search: TAP LA), sign into your TAP account or create a new one. You can add fare to your plastic TAP card or download a free virtual TAP card directly to your phone. From the TAP app, you can add Stored Value to pay per ride on Metro buses and trains or purchase fares for 25 transit agencies in LA County.
Are Digital TAP Cards Free?
Digital TAP cards through the TAP mobile app or Apple Wallet will continue to be free of charge. Reduced Fare TAP cards will also remain free.
Metro Fare Programs and Modes
I’m a GoPass rider. Will I be affected by these fare changes?
No. Students from participating school districts will still be eligible for free fares with a registered GoPass TAP card. Please contact your school administrator to get your GoPass TAP card to ride for free.
What programs will not be affected by these fare changes?
Customers in the following programs will not be affected by fare capping and the proposed fare changes:
- U-Pass
- GoPass
- Access Services
- A-TAP
- Small Employer Program
- E- Pass
- Youth on the Move (YOTM)
- Metro Bike Share
- Metro Micro
I’m a Metro Micro rider. Will I be affected by these fare changes?
No.
I’m a Metro Bike Share rider. Will I be affected by these fare changes?
No.
