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

LADOT Seeking Input on Plan to Offer Discount to TAP Users

Are reduced fares on the way for users of LADOT’s TAP on DASH bus service?

The LADOT recently held public hearings seeking comments on proposed new Electronic Payment Incentive Fares along with sharing new Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden Fare Policies that it says "are supportive of the incentive fares, and also establish criteria for how fares would be raised in the future".

New TAP Cards
New TAP Cards

Here is a summary of the main proposals per the announcement on the LADOT website:

The implementation of the Los Angeles Region's TAP smart card system has enabled LADOT to offer new pricing options to riders that were not available with LADOT's existing passes and tickets. LADOT's demonstration of mobile ticketing, through the use of smart phones, will also support these proposed fare options. That mobile ticketing demonstration, called LA Mobile, will take place in Fall 2014.

LADOT is proposing to reduce its DASH single-ride fare from 50 cents to 35 cents if a rider uses a TAP card to pay the fare. The 30% discount is intended to lure riders to using the TAP card that provides multiple benefits including the ability to protect the card balance from loss or theft. Additionally, when multiple passengers pay their fares using a TAP card, it makes boarding the bus quicker. Through the introduction of the Electronic Payment Incentive Fares, LADOT is seeking to reduce rider use of cash to pay fares. LADOT pays a high price to collect, handle and reconcile cash payments.

Policy wonks who want in-depth information can examine the fare equity analysis LADOT has posted.

I am working to have stakeholder groups like Southern California Transit Advocates and the Transportation Committee of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter endorse this. It occurs to me to help make it happen that there would also be value in having DASH users who read this blog send LADOT an e-mail expressing support for the discount proposal. They can be sent to hearingofficer@ladottransit.com.

BTW, buried on the LADOT website is a fascinating piece by former Assistant General Manager John Fisher titled Transportation Topics and Tales: Milestones in Transportation History in Southern California that some with an interest in the history of transportation in our region may find of interest.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Metro Rider Updates: C/K Lines, Bus Lane Cameras, TAP-to-Exit, and Cell Service

Cameras on Metro buses are now enforcing bus lanes! Metro K Line Aviation/Century Station opens this Sunday, with changed C and K Line operations. TAP-to-exit and cell phone reception are expanding.

November 2, 2024

Metro Breaks Ground on Early Phase of Southeast Gateway Light Rail Construction

The initial $7 billion SE Gateway Line segment will extend 14.5 miles from Artesia to the South L.A. community of Florence, with connections to the Metro A and C Lines

October 31, 2024

Foothill Transit Granted Near $17M for Hydrogen Buses and New Route

Foothill's new Line 295 will connect Metro A Line light rail to the SGV’s biggest colleges

October 30, 2024
See all posts