My last Metro Transit Access Pass (TAP) related post detailed the vexing situation regarding TAP and Metrolink's patrons and the ongoing inability of Metro and Metrolink to find a means for Metrolink riders to be able to pass through the Red and Purple Line station gates after they are locked. I couldn't hide my incredulity that after all these years of dancing around this situation the solution being proposed involved temporary paper TAP cards being distributed by hand to Metrolink patrons daily for three months after which temporary plastic 30-day TAP cards would be provided by Metro for distribution to Metrolink’s riders who purchase a monthly pass.
As my follow-up post noted, this well intentioned but rather cumbersome solution was rejected by Metrolink's Board which informed its staff that efforts should instead be made to find a more permanent solution and a request be made to Metro that it delay the locking of the gates until that more permanent solution can be found. Scott Johnson, Assistant Public Affairs Officer at Metrolink, stated the situation at that point stood as constituting "an ongoing collaboration" between the two agencies. Also that "No definitive timetable has been established" And "... The issue will continue to be discussed through internal meetings, alongside public committee and board meetings".
Thursday at the Metro Board Executive Management Committee meeting the new solutions will be debated.
I guess one solace is with either of the options being considered the Los Angeles County municipal carriers will still honor Metrolink fare media for transfer, which would include the LADOT DASH buses that ply the streets of downtown Los Angeles and which many Metrolink riders already avail themselves of (and maybe even many more will hereafter if they have to face in the alternative paying an extra charge to ride the subway).
Amusingly the staff report details the possible financial repercussions to Metro if this effort goes forward but is mum about the potential costs for Metrolink. And since Metro is among the agencies that funds Metrolink it is in essence funding both ends of this enterprise.
Words truly fail me.
