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Fare Capping on Metro
Metro makes it simple to pay your fare on bus and rail with fare capping. That means the more you ride, the more you will save. Fare capping makes it easier for everyone who pays with TAP to earn free rides.
Fares for Everyone
Whether you ride Metro often or are new to it, we have you covered with the lowest fare possible. Frequent riders will benefit the most.
Regular Fare riders
Never pay more than $5 a day and never more than $18 within seven days.
Reduced Fare: Seniors/Persons with Disabilities
Never pay more than $2.50 a day and never more than $5 within seven days.
Reduced Fare: Students
Never pay more than $2.50 a day and never more than $6 within seven days.
Low Income (LIFE) riders
Choose 20 free rides on transit in LA County (includes two hours of free transfers on Metro).
After the 20 free rides are used, you will use Stored Value to pay per ride until you reach your 1-Day or 7-Day cap.
Students with GoPass
Ride for free with your GoPass TAP card.
How Fare Capping Works
To take advantage of fare capping you need to pay your fare with a TAP card. We encourage all our cash-paying riders to get a TAP card.
- Load Stored Value (money) on a TAP card to pay per ride. (Metro base fare for buses and trains is $1.75 and includes two hours of free one-way transfers on Metro with each paid ride.)
- Once you reach your 1-Day or 7-Day cap, your rides are FREE!
- When you tap on the bus fareboxes or TAP validators at rail stations, the display will show how much Stored Value (money) is being deducted or if the ride is free.
- All Metro riders with a TAP card can participate in fare capping.
- If you already have an existing TAP card, there is no need to sign up or get a new one.
How to Check Your Progress
When you tap on the bus fareboxes or TAP validators at rail stations, the display will show how much Stored Value (money) is being deducted or whether the ride is free. More detailed information, including your fare capping status, will be available on the TVMs, the TAP app, on taptogo.net or by calling TAP Customer Service at 866.827.8646.
You can also easily check your progress towards a 1-Day or 7-Day cap at taptogo.net/card-status with the new fare capping tool (available on July 1). You do not need to have a TAP account; all you need is your TAP card number, and you will be able to view your fare capping progress and TAP card balance.
Metro Fare Chart
Fare Changes Effective July 1, 2023
- Riders receive 2 hours of free one-way transfers with each paid ride on TAP.
- Senior/Disabled riders enjoy peak ($.75) and off-peak pricing ($.35).
| Rider Category & Fare Product | Fares as of July 1 |
|---|---|
| Regular Fare | |
| Base Fare | $1.75 |
| Upcharge | Free |
| Day Pass/1-Day Cap | $5 |
| 7-Day Pass/7-Day Cap | $18 |
| 30-Day Pass | Not Offered |
| 30-Day Pass + Zone 1 | Not Offered |
| Senior/Disabled | |
| Base Fare | 75¢/35¢ |
| Upcharge | Free |
| Day Pass/1-Day Cap | $2.50 |
| 7-Day Pass/7-Cay Cap | $5 |
| 30-Day Pass | Not Offered |
| K-12 Student/College/Vocational | |
| K-12 Base Fare | 75¢ |
| Upcharge | Free |
| College/Vocational Base Fare | 75¢ |
| Upcharge | Free |
| Day Pass/1-Day Cap | $2.50 |
| 7-Day Pass/7-Day Cap | $6 |
| K-12 Student 30-Day Pass | Not Offered |
| College/Vocational 30-Day Pass | Not Offered |
| LIFE | |
| 20 Free Rides |
The current prices are based on the permanent, non-promotional pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fare Capping?
Fare capping allows customers to pay per ride using Stored Value on TAP until they reach the 1-Day or 7-Day cap, then they ride for free for the rest of the time period.
What are the benefits of fare capping?
- Pay the lowest fare while earning free rides
- No upfront cost of a pass, just pay as you go!
- Frequent riders will benefit the most. The more you ride, the more you save.
Who is eligible for fare capping?
Any Metro rider with a TAP card can participate in fare capping. TAP cards do not have to be registered. If you use cash to pay your fares, switch to TAP and start earning free rides.
Do I need to sign up for fare capping?
You do not need to sign up for fare capping. Just use your existing registered or unregistered TAP card to pay per ride using Stored Value and you will automatically receive the benefits of fare capping!
Do I need a TAP card to benefit from fare capping?
- Yes, 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 1-Day or 7-Day fare cap, use the same TAP card to receive your unlimited free rides.
- Customers do not have to buy a new TAP card to benefit from fare capping.
Where can I buy and reload a TAP card?
- On Metro bus. Tell the operator you want to purchase a TAP card and put cash on the 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 almost 1,900 TAP Vendor Locations.
- At TAP Vending Machines located at all Metro Rail stations, J Line and G Line stations.
What is Stored Value?
Stored Value is money that you can add to TAP card to pay per ride. Stored Value can be used to pay for transit fare and interagency transfers and is valid for all 26 TAP agencies. Stored Value never expires. TAP cards can hold up to $300 of Stored Value. To protect the money on your TAP card (balance protection) and other benefits, register your TAP card on the TAP app or at taptogo.net.
Where can I add Stored Value (money) to a TAP card?
- On Metro bus. Tell the operator you want to purchase a TAP card and put cash on the 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 almost 1,900 TAP Vendor Locations.
- At TAP Vending Machines located at all Metro Rail stations, G and J Line stations.
Where can I see my progress toward the 1-Day and 7-Day fare cap?
When you tap on the bus fareboxes or TAP validators at rail stations, the display will show how much Stored Value (money) is being deducted or whether the ride is free. More detailed information, including your fare capping status, will be available on the TVMs, the TAP app, on taptogo.net or by calling TAP Customer Service at 866.827.8646.
What is the time frame for the 1-Day cap?
The 1-Day cap is valid for each calendar day; it begins at 12:00am and ends at 11:59pm each day.
Can I reach both a 1-Day and 7-Day fare cap?
Yes, you can reach both a 1-Day and 7-Day fare cap; you do not have to choose. When you reach the 1-Day cap these paid rides will count towards your 7-Day fare cap. Both work together.
What day of the week does the 7-Day cap start?
Like a 7-Day pass, the 7-Day cap start date is flexible and begins when you first tap.
