September 17, 2015

 

City News Service 

 

 

Bus and train riders can now use a TAP card to pay fares on all 26 regional transportation agencies in Los Angeles County, Metro officials announced this week.

 

“The milestone is significant because it shows how far we have come to create a seamless regional transportation system,” Metro board chairman and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said.

 

“You can now use your TAP card to get all the way from Lancaster to Long Beach. No more fumbling in your pockets or purse for change.”

 

The re-loadable TAP card includes a computer chip that tracks fares to ensure payments are made to the appropriate transit agencies. Metro officials said the agency worked to assure individual agencies that the system would accurately track fares and disburse the funds.

 

“Altogether, there are about 650 individual products loaded on the TAP card and it charges the correct fare every time, including all appropriate reduced fares,” according to Art Ida, chairman of the Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Association and general manager of Culver City Transit

 

“Even though it looks like a credit card it is really a smart card with all information on a chip instead of a magnetic strip.”

 

Metro officials said the TAP website, www.taptogo.net, has also been redesigned. The site allows card holders to add value to the cards, buy passes and apply for reduced fares.

Category: Business