FAQs
TAP is a program that allows you to ride seamlessly across Los Angeles County.
A TAP card is a durable plastic card with a smart chip designed to make your transit experience simple and secure. Or if you use our app, it is a “virtual” TAP card on your iPhone, Apple Watch or Android phone that you can use to tap and pay. Load your TAP card electronically with regional and local transit passes, Stored Value (cash amount) or transfers. Then tap your card on the TAP target each time you board a bus or train and the farebox, validator or turnstile will deduct the correct fare.
You can also use TAP to enjoy programs such as Metro Bike Share. Coming soon will be additional programs such as Microtransit, Scooters, Ride-Hailing, Parking and Electric Vehicle car charging and more.
TAP is a convenient, secure way to travel throughout Los Angeles County. Benefits of TAP include:
- Multimodal travel, including bus, rail, and other transit programs like Metro Bike Share. Additional programs including Parking and Electric Vehicle car sharing are coming soon.
- Smart chip technology that offers account management, secure purchases and convenient features like Balance Protection and Autoload.
- Contactless payment with the TAP app, now available for iPhones and Android phones.
- Flexible payment methods including credit/debit, PayPal and PayNearMe.
- A safe and secure alternative to paying cash fares.
- Faster boarding times.
- Seamless connectivity to pay fare on 27 municipal transit systems across LA County.
There are many ways to purchase a TAP card:
- On your phone using the TAP App
- In your Apple Wallet on iPhone
- Online at taptogo.net. (Your card will be mailed to you in 10-15 business days.)
- Call 866.TAPTOGO (866-827-8646) (Your card will be mailed to you in 10-15 business days.)
- Visit a TAP vendor. Find a location near you. (Fare can be used immediately.)
- Visit a TAP vending machine located at Metro rail and Metro Orange Line stations. Find a location near you. (Fare can be used immediately.)
- Visit a Metro Customer Service Center. Find a location near you. (Fare can be used immediately.)
TAP cards are currently accepted on the following partner transit agencies:
Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA)
Baldwin Park Transit
Beach Cities Transit
BurbankBus
Carson Circuit
Compton Renaissance Transit Systems
Culver CityBus
Foothill Transit
Glendale Beeline
Glendora Transportation Division
Huntington Park Transit Unlimited
LA County Department of Public Works
LADOT Transit
Lawndale Beat
Long Beach Transit
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Metro
Monterey Park Spirit Bus
Norwalk Transit System
Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority
Pasadena Transit
Santa Clarita Transit
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus
Torrance Transit
Your TAP card can hold Stored Value, as well as passes and transfers for many transit agencies in the Los Angeles area.
Your TAP card must be registered in order to be able to report it lost or stolen by calling 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646).
If your card is registered for Balance Protection*, you may request a replacement card. Your remaining balance will be restored, and the replacement card will be mailed to you. A $5 administrative fee applies when the replacement card is requested.
* If you purchased your TAP card online at taptogo.net or by phone, or if you have a Reduced Fare TAP card, your card's balance is automatically protected.
No. If you purchase a TAP card to replace your lost, stolen or damaged card, your fare capping progress starts over on that replacement card. The fare capping status is specific to each card and cannot be transferred.
No, your TAP card is not transferable. Each rider must have his or her own TAP card.
Regular TAP cards expire after 15 years. Reduced Fare TAP card expiration dates vary, depending on the type of card. Check your card's expiration date at taptogo.net, at a TAP Vending Machine or at a TAP Vendor location.
The terms and conditions are listed in the Terms of Service. Your first use of the TAP card signifies your acceptance of this agreement.
If you would like to become a TAP vendor, please contact us to schedule an appointment with a TAP service representative.
Email: tpv@taptogo.net
Phone: 866.TAPTOGO (866-827-8646)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
TAP provides flexible payment options including credit/debit, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and for cash-only customers, PayNearMe. You must have an account on taptogo.net.
You’ll find answers to your mobile app questions in our TAP App FAQs.
To request deletion of your PII, open a Help Request and select "Delete Personal Data" as your reason. Or you may email customerservice@taptogo.net to initiate a request. In order to delete your PII, your TAP account must be closed, and your eligibility to participate in transit and subsidy programs will be terminated. In some cases, your TAP card will be canceled and any remaining fare on the card will not be refunded. We encourage you to first use the fare on your card, then submit a PII deletion request. To learn more about how we process PII deletion requests, read our Privacy Notice.
It's easy. Simply tap your card on the TAP target of the bus farebox/validator or station turnstile/validator. The validator will “beep” and display a confirmation that your card is valid. You are now free to board the bus or train.
When using Metro Bike Share, press the silver button on the dock and hold TAP card to the lighted panel. Wait for 3 “beeps” to confirm the bike has been unlocked. Smart Metro Bikes can be unlocked by holding your card to the screen on the bike’s handlebar.
Yes. When you change Metro Rail lines, you are required to tap before boarding the next rail line.
No. Your TAP card contains a smart chip and is not affected by your credit cards.
Stored Value cannot be used to pay for Metro Bike Share. A monthly (30-day) or annual (365-day) pass must be purchased to utilize the program with a TAP card.
Your TAP card is durable and designed to last 15 years. Treat your card like any other money card. Protect it. Do not bend, puncture or wash it.
You must tap your card on the TAP target any time you ride. Onboard fare inspectors can read your card to confirm that you properly tapped. If you fail to tap the bus or rail validator before boarding, you may be cited for fare evasion. So don't forget to TAP!
Paper transfers are no longer distributed. Your transfer will automatically be deducted from your TAP card when you board your second bus or train. Paper transfers may still be issued for internal (Metro-Metro) transfers only. Please contact your local agency to find out if they still use paper transfers.
Interagency transfers between agencies are exclusively on TAP. You must first load Stored Value on your TAP card to transfer between TAP-participating agencies. Your transfer fare will be calculated automatically and will be valid for 2.5 hours from the first trip of your journey. Not all agencies that are on TAP are participating in these transfers. Visit taptogo.net/transfersontap to find out if your agency is participating in Transfer on 2nd Boarding.
If you purchased your TAP card online or by phone, or if you have a Reduced Fare card, your card is already registered. If you purchased your card at a TAP vending machine or TAP Vendor location, consider registering your card online at taptogo.net.
Registering your card is free! Benefits include:
- Balance Protection – Replace your lost or stolen TAP card with its remaining balance. There is a $5 administrative fee payable when you request a replacement card. Read more about Balance Protection.
- Flexible payment options – credit/debit cards, account cash and PayPal are accepted. Purchase transit passes and pay fees for programs like Metro Bike Share.
- Account Management – Create an account on taptogo.net and get access to multiple card management, secure fare purchase and online customer support.
To register your card, create or sign in to your TAP account at taptogo.net. Go to My TAP cards, and click Register card.
The following fare products can be loaded on your TAP card:
- Stored Value – A cash amount that is accepted across all TAP partner transit agencies. Load any dollar amount up to $300 onto your TAP card to pay for single rides and transfers.
- Agency Pass – Some agencies offer passes that are specific to their system and are valid for a specific number of days or trips. Choose this fare product if you know your travel is limited to one transit operator.
- EZ transit pass – A monthly, calendar-based pass valid for travel on 23 public transit systems throughout the Greater Los Angeles region. This pass is for travel within a geographic area or zone. Ask your transit agency to verify which zone is needed for your trip. EZ Passes can now be purchased on TVMs at Metro rail, Metro Silver Line, and Metro Orange Line stations.
Stored Value is a cash amount that you load on your TAP card to pay for single rides and transfers. Stored Value is great for travel across multiple transit agencies. The maximum amount of Stored Value you can load on your card is $300.
When you buy your fare online or by calling TAP Customer Service, the following wait times apply:
- Bus farebox: Up to 1 hour *
- Bus mobile validator: Up to 1 hour *
- Rail station gate validator or turnstile: Up to 1 hour *
- You must use your card within 14 days to activate the fare. If more than 14 days pass before you use the card, the fare will not be activated, and you will not be able to use the fare. If this happens, you must call 866-TAPTOGO (866.827-8646) to request the fare be reinstated. The fare will then be available in 6 business days.
Fare that was added at a TAP vending machine or at a TAP vendor is immediately activated. No action within 14 days is required.
No. Stored Value and EZ transit pass are valid on all TAP participating agencies. However, agency passes vary. Check with your local operator or municipal carrier to ensure you have the appropriate fare loaded.
Yes. You can establish a shared account with your children or other family members. Manage their TAP cards, buy and reload products, enroll them in programs and submit help requests on their behalf.
Your child or family member must have their own TAP account. You must request (and they must allow you) to share management of their account.
Read more about Shared Accounts.
Fare capping allows you to earn the benefits of a pass without the upfront cost.
How it works:
Load Stored Value (money) on a TAP card to pay per ride. When you reach your 1-Day or 7-Day cap, you ride free for the rest of that day or 7-day period. You will never spend more than $5 in a day or $18 within 7 days. Reduced Fare riders will pay even less.
These changes will make it easier for everyone who pays with TAP to earn free rides. For more information and for an updated fare chart, visit Metro’s page on fare capping.
If your TAP card is lost or stolen, Balance Protection allows you to replace the card and its remaining balance. There is a $5 administrative fee when you request a replacement card.
If you purchased your TAP card online at taptogo.net or by phone, or if you have a Reduced Fare TAP card, your card is automatically enrolled in the Balance Protection Program. To sign up for balance protection, register your card on taptogo.net or by calling 866-TAPTOGO (866-827-8646).
To sign up for Balance Protection, register your card on taptogo.net or call 866-TAPTOGO (866-827-8646). If you purchased your TAP card online at taptogo.net or by phone, or if you have a Reduced Fare TAP card, your balance is already protected.
Providing a managed TAP card for your employees is a great benefit. It makes home-to-work transit easy and affordable. And your employees will appreciate traffic-less travel. Read more about the Employer TAP Program. Call 866-TAPTOGO (866-827-8646) or email ab@taptogo.net for more information or to set up a corporate TAP account for your employees.
Yes, employers may offer Metro Bike Share passes to their employees. Read more about the Bike Share for Business Program.
Seniors* are eligible to receive a Reduced Fare TAP card. To qualify, you must submit a Reduced Fare Application. Please read the instructions carefully and gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process. You may expect to receive your Reduced Fare TAP card in approximately 20 business days.
If you currently have a Reduced Fare TAP card that will expire in the next 45 days, you may re-apply online at taptogo.net. Gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process.
* The qualifying age of a Senior may vary with each regional transit agency.
As a person with a disability, you may be eligible to receive a Reduced Fare TAP card. To qualify, you must submit a Reduced Fare Application. Please read the instructions carefully and gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process. You may expect to receive your Reduced Fare TAP card in approximately 20 business days.
If you currently have a Reduced Fare TAP card that will expire in the next 45 days, you may re-apply online at taptogo.net. Gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process.
College and vocational students are eligible to receive a Reduced Fare TAP card. Submit a Reduced Fare application online at taptogo.net. Please read the instructions carefully and gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process. You may expect to receive your Reduced Fare TAP card in approximately 20 business days.
If you currently have a Reduced Fare TAP card that will expire in the next 45 days, you may re-apply online at taptogo.net. Gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process.
K-12 students are eligible to receive a Reduced Fare TAP card. To qualify, you must submit a Reduced Fare Application. Please read the instructions carefully and gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process. You may expect to receive your Reduced Fare TAP card in approximately 20 business days.
If you currently have a Reduced Fare TAP card that will expire in the next 45 days, you may re-apply online at taptogo.net. Gather all supporting documentation before you begin the application process.
Yes, discounts for Metro Bike Share passes are available for qualified Reduced Fare cardholders. Read more about Metro Bike Share.
If you have a valid Metro Bike Share pass, a registered TAP card may be used to unlock a bike at a docking station. Bike fees are charged to the credit card associated with your TAP account and cannot be paid with Stored Value on your TAP card.
When you purchase a Metro Bike Share pass, you may opt to auto-renew the pass before end of its term.
Metro Bike Share requires a credit card. Future programs will have their own rules for payment. Your TAP account supports many payment options such as credit/debit cards, PayPal and PayNearMe for cash customers.
Additional programs are planned including Microtransit, Scooters, Ride-Hailing, Parking and Electric Vehicle car charging. These will provide convenient first-last-mile transit solutions.