Upgrades Coming To TAP: Mobile App and Greater Multi-Modal Integration

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Changes big and small are coming to Metro’s humble TAP fare card in the near future.

TAP already has a degree of multi-modal integration as it can be used for both transit – Metro and 24 other L.A. County municipal bus operators – and for Metro Bike Share. Metro bills its bike-share integration as the first of its kind ‘mobility as a service’ integration in the United States.

But that’s not all.

Coming this winter, Metro will debut a new TAP smartphone app that will integrate trip planning and transit fare payment. The app will enable people to pay transit fares by tapping one’s phone, or to easily load one’s TAP card. The app will integrate low-income fare subsidies, as well as discounts for students, seniors, and riders with disabilities. Metro Deputy Executive Officer Robin O’Hara demonstrated the new app at this morning’s Metro board Finance Committee meeting. O’Hara anticipates that TAP’s wallet feature will be expanded to pay for various things from e-scooters to parking to ride-hail.

The agency also plans to introduce TAP keychains and bracelets.

For a pilot starting next month, TAP cards will be on sale in at gift card racks in 7-Eleven, CVS pharmacies, and other stores.

It should not be too noticeable to riders, but this fall Metro is upgrading its bus farebox equipment for compatibility with TAP upgrades.

More information on the future of TAP at the Metro staff report and at Curbed.