You can now tap your credit or debit card to enter L.A. Metro Transit!
After years of waiting, credit and debit cards now work to pay the $1.75 fare on buses, subway stations, and the 25 local transit agencies that participate in TAP across the city of Los Angeles.
While TAP cards will continue to be a valid form of payment, you can now use a plastic card or a digital contactless card via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay to pay your fare.
According to L.A. Metro’s website, transactions are safe as they are “using the same security protocols used by merchants and credit card companies across the world.” All major credit cards are accepted including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Union Pay.
What else to know?
The two hours of transfers and daily/weekly fare capping will remain in place, but be sure to use the same card for all of your trips.
If you’re on a reduced fare, you should hold on to your TAP card until 2027. The plan for reduced fare riders rolls out in 2027.
Riders will also be able to pay for friends and family
A new feature with the card tapping is that users are allowed to tap the same credit or debit card for multiple people. You can now tap for you and four additional riders at the fare box or validator.
L.A. Metro notes that the person paying should enter the bus or station last, and to keep the group together for the entire transit journey.
Users should also be careful about accidentally scanning their credit or debit card more than once.
