Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Metro

Eyes on the “Street”: You Can Upload Cash Purse Directly to Your TAP Card

Screen shot from Taptogo.net showing the addition of a small cash amount to a TAP Card

Last night, a reader who wished to remain anonymous passed along the good news that users of Metro's "TAP Card" can now add cash amounts, not just multi-trip passes such as monthly passes, to their card via TAP's official website.  We should note that the new balance doesn't load immediately, but will the next time you tap your TAP card.

I checked in on the TAP site tonight and was surprised to find changes there. Some of the extraneous non-functioning sections of the site have been removed and it was cleaned up a bit with even some of the former icon buttons removed and replaced with just text links.

But the big news is when you go the fare products page, it has a button for adding Stored Value. When you click on the button, it shows you the Balance of the card which is selected. You can add cash in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20 $50 and $100. Select the value, click through and fill out the form, put in your Credit Card and viola!  It emailed me the receipt

It says the fare will be active via TVMs in 12 hours (you tap on the TVM to reconcile after that point) or it will migrate to the whole system within 36 hours. It did mention something about needing to reconcile it within 30 days, but I'm not sure if that only applies to passes or includes cash.

Also I didn't see a way to store credit card info, set up a future autoload or see transaction history but at least this is a very big step in the right direction.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro board committees, Satoru Tsuneishi Park opening, Santa Fe Dam ride, and more

January 12, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

ICE, Sepulveda rail, Culver CityBus, potholes, Larchmont, car-nage, and more

January 12, 2026

SGV Connect 145: Phoenix Tso of L.A. Public Press and the Altadena Fires

Struggles are plenty: insurance claims, fire remediation, lost income, lost neighbors and customers, and real estate development

January 9, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

ICE, fires one year later, Pasadena, Mulholland Drive, speed cameras, Warner Center, car-nage and more

January 9, 2026

Eyes on the Street: Santa Monica Bergamot Station Bike/Walk Project Construction

First/last mile project construction is wrapping up - crews are currently resurfacing Pennsylvania Avenue, where the city added new sidewalks

January 8, 2026
See all posts