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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) expanded its successful TAP-to-Exit program to the A Line’s new northern end-of-line station at Pomona North. TAP-to-Exit was also reinstated today at the North Hollywood station along the B Line and Union Station along the B/D line.
TAP-to-Exit is an effective, common access control practice used in major transit stations around the world, including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan-Atlanta Regional Transit Authority (MARTA). This is the first time Metro’s TAP-to-Exit program will be paired with the taller, modern faregates that have been installed at the North Hollywood and Pomona North stations.
Beginning today, turnstiles at the three stations will be latched at both the entrances and exits to the rail lines, so riders will need to tap their TAP card or scan their valid Metrolink fare to enter and exit the station.
Metro began informing riders about the expanded program on Nov. 10, via signage at the three stations and the distribution of brochures, available in English and Spanish. Metro Ambassadors and TAP Blue Shirts staff were on-site to assist passengers with loading their fares, while representatives from Metro’s LIFE program will help enroll income-qualified riders. Customers will be reminded when they do not tap to exit through Monday, Nov. 24, after which date security and law enforcement officers will begin issuing citations for those who do not have valid fares.
Public Safety on Metro
Metro continues to make progress on its three-point public safety plan to:
- Keep employees and customers safe and ensure they feel safe through a visible presence of uniformed personnel, station improvements and improved bus safety measures;
- Ensure the system is being used only for its intended purpose of transit through fare gate improvements and removal of trespassers; and
- Continue to partner with the County, the Cities and Regional Agencies to address societal issues such as homelessness, untreated mental illness, drug addiction.
As a result, violent crime per one million boardings has dropped by almost 15% in September compared to the same month in 2024, reaching its lowest level in three years. Property crimes also reached a three-year low in September, falling 32% compared to the previous year.
Improving Access Control
The TAP-to-Exit Program and taller fare gates are key strategies to ensuring the system is being used only for its intended purpose and have improved safety and cleanliness on the system. When first launched, the North Hollywood station pilot transformed behavior along the 14 B-Line stations with reported crime and other issues (fights, drug use and graffiti) dropping by more than 40 percent on the Transit Watch app. Following the expansion to Downtown Santa Monica, Transit Watch incidents dropped 83 percent on the E Line when TAP-to Exit was paired with fare enforcement.
Metro has debuted taller, modern fare gates at 14 stations: Firestone, Glendora, Hollywood/Western, La Verne Fairplex, Lake, LAX/Metro Transit Center, North Hollywood, Pershing Square, Pomona North, San Dimas, Vermont/Santa Monica, Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, Wilshire/Vermont and 7th St/Metro Center.
These modern faregates have many more features such as precise motion sensors to reduce piggybacking, electromechanical locks to prevent forced entries and paddle-style doors that improve accessibility for customers with bicycles, strollers and other items.
According to Transit Watch App data, these faregates are also having an immediate positive impact on the station experience. After the new faregates were introduced at the North Hollywood station, the reported incidents on the Transit Watch App declined 70 percent at this station and valid, paid station entries increased 22 percent.
Improving Cleanliness and Customer Comfort
The North Hollywood Station also received a new amenity on Oct. 10. The recently installed Throne bathroom provides safe, clean, accessible and free-to-use bathroom access at North Hollywood and every end-of-line station. Thus far, Throne bathrooms at Metro stations have served over 450,000 people with a resilient 3.91 out of 5-star user rating across all locations. In North Hollywood, the restroom has already received 3257 uses.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and seven rail lines.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, x.com/metrolosangeles and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
