EZ passes moving to a new home on TAP

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Here’s a new Metro release on the move of EZ passes from paper onto TAP. The migration begins Sept. 1 but senior/disabled patrons have until Nov. 1 to apply for and receive their new ID cards. Application forms can be downloaded from the web but also are available at Metro Customer Centers and pass outlets all over the region.

The EZ transit pass — the monthly pass good for travel on 25 different public transit carriers throughout Los Angeles County — will begin the transition from paper to TAP cards Sept. 1, making it easier for customers to travel without transfers, renew their passes each month and replace their cards, should they be lost of stolen. The EZ transit pass is one of the last paper passes to transition to smart card technology.

The EZ transit pass will be electronically loaded onto the familiar blue TAP card for regular riders or the orange Reduced TAP ID card for senior and/or disabled riders.  A stamp with the month, year and zone designation will be affixed to the front of each card so that the card can be visually inspected on non-TAP systems.

To help customers with the transition, the new reusable TAP cards will be free for a limited time with the purchase of an EZ transit pass.

The move from EZ transit pass paper passes to TAP will continue until Nov. 1 for senior and disabled patrons to give them extra time to apply for and receive their new reduced-fare TAP ID cards. Applications can be downloaded from the web at metro.net/riding/fares/senior.  They also are available at all Metro Customer Centers and pass sales outlets.

The new EZ transit passes on TAP will make it easier to renew the passes each month. When an EZ transit pass expires, another pass can be loaded onto the card at a pass sales outlet, or at the official TAP website: taptogo.net. There will be no need to purchase a new TAP card each month because the card can be used again and again for up to three years.  Customers can protect their cards and their pass or stored value balance from loss by requesting balance protection by calling 1.866.TAPTOGO (1.866.827.8646).  The card and balance can be replaced for just $5.

EZ transit pass fares are $84 per month, or $35 for senior/disabled patrons. Although there is no extra charge for transfers between participating carriers, in some cases there are zone charges, which will be addressed as they are now, either by paying for a monthly pass with zones, or by paying the zone fare when boarding, either in cash or with stored value loaded onto the TAP card. (Bus operators will notify patrons, should zone charges pertain.)

EZ transit passes are sold at Metro Customer Centers and nearly 600 participating vendors  region-wide, including Nix Check Cashing, Continental Currency Services and selected Ralph’s markets. Search EZ transit pass outlets on taptogo.net to find a convenient location near you.

 

UPDATE: Here are the answers to three questions readers have been asking –

1. The EZ Pass sticker needed for your TAP card will be mailed to those who buy the pass online.

2. Because the EZ Pass needs a sticker, they are not available at Metro ticket machines.

3. The EZ Pass can be loaded onto an existing TAP card. You don’t need to buy a new card to get the pass.

39 thoughts on “EZ passes moving to a new home on TAP”

  1. Something some of us activists are wondering is how will this work in areas of the county that are dominated by munis that heretofore have not accepted TAP (Santa Monica, Long Beach and Torrance). Will TAP outlets in those area be able to load an EZ pass and have the stickers? How about the transit stores of the three munis? I have heard a rumor they will be supplied with pre-loaded cards or will be supplied equipment to load TAP cards. Any word what solution is contemplated for these special outlets that I don’t believe until now handled TAP cards?

  2. Will paper tickets still be available for visitors and occasional users? We like to eat at restaurants downtown L.A. and Hollywood. We take the Gold Line from Pasadena, perhaps once a month. Will we seniors (and visitors) still have this option of just one round trip ride, or must we now load a monthly amount on a TAP card?

  3. Hi Lynda;

    There will be no more paper tickets for Metro Rail. The best bet is to buy a TAP card at a Metro Rail ticket machine — they are $1 — and to occasionally load enough money on the card to cover your single-trip fares or to purchase a day pass, when appropriate (for example, if you were taking the Gold Line and Red Line from Pasadena to Hollywood). I think you’ll find the TAP card is pretty convenient.

    Steve Hymon
    Editor, The Source

  5. Hi Dana –

    Here are the answers to your questions:

    Will TAP outlets in those area be able to load an EZ pass and have the stickers? YES

    How about the transit stores of the three munis? ALL THREE WILL BE SELLING THE EZ PASS ON TAP.

    I have heard a rumor they will be supplied with pre-loaded cards or will be supplied equipment to load TAP cards. Any word what solution is contemplated for these special outlets that I don’t believe until now handled TAP cards? THEY WILL HAVE A COMPACT POINT OF SALE DEVICE CAPABLE OF SELLING ANY EZ TRANSIT PASS PRODUCT.

    Hope that helps,

    Steve Hymon
    Editor, The Source

  6. Dana,

    “the story of the various transit agencies in this county and their relationship is complex and often is more about turf than the needs of users.”

    Basically what you’re saying then is that political games overrule the needs of transit riders. I don’t see how this will attract any riders when everyone is getting sick of wasteful spending of taxes and childish political games.

  7. Mr. Hymon, thanks for the informative response.

    Charles K, from where I am it is exaggerated to speak of “everyone is getting sick of wasteful spending of taxes and childish political games”. Things often look different depending on where you stand. And I always don’t take anything too seriously, including myself.

  8. Dana,

    Sorry Dana, but just like you said, not everyone shares the same sentiment. You maybe fine with wasteful tax spending stemming from childish political games but I’m not. I’d rather start seeing my taxes decrease. Politicians need to get their act in order and start working together instead of playing “I want my toy all for myself” with billions of our taxpayer money. I betcha the majority of the local politicians in LA don’t even ride the public transit themselves.

  10. What was the whole point of converting spending so much tax money and labor costs to move TAP cards? If you still need a sticker to show a bus driver that you have a pass, what’s the difference in just showing a paper bus pass?

    What a horrible waste of tax dollars.

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