A few months ago, we officially launched fare capping on all Metro buses and trains –– allowing riders to save more as they ride by using a TAP card. If you’re a participant of our low-income discounted fare program –– Low Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) –– what does that mean for you?  

Well, we are glad you asked!  

Here are some of the questions we’ve received. Read on for our answers.    

I’ve heard about fare capping but I need a refresher. How does it work?  

While weekly or monthly passes can help riders save money on rides, the upfront cost is often too high for low-income people to afford. Fare capping levels the playing field. As long as you have a TAP card, the program ensures that you will never pay more than $5 per day or $18 per week. If you are a Reduced Fare rider, your fare caps are even less.  The most a Senior/Disabled Rider will pay is $2.50 in a day and $5 over seven days and the most Students K-12 & College/Vocational Rider will pay is $2.50 in a day and $6 over seven days. 

Where does fare capping come from?  

First adopted in Portland, Oregon in 2018 and now used by several transit agencies across the country, such as Spokane, San Diego, and New York City, fare capping is a policy that ensures that riders save money the more they ride … at no extra cost. At Metro, we’re very proud to be early adopters.  

If Metro monthly passes are no longer offered, do I still receive a discount through the LIFE program?  

Yes, you will still receive a discount on your fare. Instead of purchasing a discounted pass each month, you will choose the 20 free ride option. Each ride includes two hours of free transfers. Once all 20 rides have been used, you can use the TAP card’s Stored Value to pay for each ride on Metro. And you’ll still receive all the benefits of fare capping.   

If I am enrolled in the LIFE program, how can I access my 20 free rides? 

Easy! There are several ways to load your 20 free rides each month.  

• Call 866.TAP.TOGO (866.827.8646) 
• Download the TAP app and load them through the app 
• Visit taptogo.net  
• Visit a local TAP vendor location (find all locations here)  

Can LIFE program discounts be applied on other transit operators?  

Yes, LIFE participants who do not ride Metro can still receive 20 free rides or apply their discount towards the purchase of a transit pass from a LIFE-participating transit agency. 

There are 13 transit agencies across LA County that participate in the LIFE program. These are:  Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA), Culver City Bus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, GTrans, LADOT, Long Beach Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Clarita Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Torrance Transit.  

Who is eligible for the reduced fare base fare of $0.75 on Metro?  

Senior 62+, Persons with Disabilities, College/Vocational and K-12 students are eligible for $.75 fares (peak). (However, students enrolled in our GoPass program ride for free!) Seniors and Persons with Disabilities are still eligible for $.35 fares (off-peak). To find out more about Metro’s Reduced Fare programs and how to apply visit metro.net/fares. 

Would you like to learn more or talk with someone about your LIFE benefits or how the fare capping program works? Join us for one of our upcoming popup events. Each event will featured be in English and Spanish. To request to hear the presentation in other languages — please call the LIFE hotline: 213.922.2378. 

Tuesday, September 19 – 9am- 1pm 

• East Portal of Union Station (more information here)  

Wednesday, October 4 – 10:30am – 12:30pm 

• East Los Angeles Customer Center 4501 B Whittier Blvd. LA, CA 90022 

Wednesday October 18 – 6:30-7:30 PM  

• Virtual event here

 Tuesday, October 24  – 4pm-6pm 

• Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station Customer Center 11720 Wilmington Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90059 

Wednesday, November 8 – 1pm-3pm 

• Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center 3183 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 174 Los Angeles, CA 90010