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

UCLA Report Shows How Freeway Construction Last Century Was Used to Destroy and Divide Communities of Color

“Understanding the history of racism in freeway development can inform restorative justice in these areas.”

November 26, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines

ICE, Vernon sues Metro, first Measure HLA Board of Public Works appeals, Metro LIFE program, gondola, Santa Monica vs. Waymo, Pasadena, car-nage and more

November 26, 2025

CicLAvia Melrose Avenue meets Stranger Things Season 5 – Open Thread

Tens of thousands of people enjoyed a car-free Melrose Avenue and... Hey was that a demogorgon that just rode past me?

November 25, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

ICE, Burbank, Inglewood, Santa Monica vs. Waymo, Pasadena, OC, car-nage, and more

November 25, 2025

Metro November 2025 Board Committee Round-Up: Gondola, Valley Light Rail, Open Streets, and More

More open streets funding (maybe), East San Fernando Valley rail, battery-electric buses, and second time around gondola approval

November 21, 2025
See all posts