Riding Metro is about to get even easier.
Regular fare riders on Metro can now pay fare simply by tapping a credit or debit card — plastic or digital — at TAP validators on buses and Metro Rail stations. Credit and debit cards also now work to pay bus fare on 25 local transit agencies that participate in TAP (LADOT will have this feature at a later date).
What this means: if you already tap your credit card at grocery stores, coffee shops, stores or anywhere else, you’ll now be able to ride Metro by paying the same way. Just tap and go.
How do you know if your credit or debit card is contactless? It will have the contactless symbol seen at right. Most digital cards on smartphones and watches that are part of Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay will also work.
This new option is part of Metro’s work to make riding transit more convenient for regular riders, new riders and visitors to our region. Paying fare with a credit or debit card has proven very popular in other cities across the globe, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
For regular customers, paying fare this way is fast. For visitors, it’s also fast and familiar to many as credit/debit payment for transit is becoming more popular in other major cities.
Three important points:
•TAP cards will remain a valid form of payment and cash fare will continue to be accepted on Metro buses. We know some customers prefer TAP — and we’ll continue producing TAP cards and accepting plastic or digital versions of TAP cards.
•Fare capping — which helps riders earn free rides when they reach the 1-day ($5) or 7-day fare limit ($18) — remains in place. Important: use the same TAP card or credit/debit card to enjoy the fare capping benefit.
•Paying with a credit or debit card for reduced-fare riders is expected to be added in early 2027. If you’re paying reduced fare, please continue to use your TAP card until then.
How to TAP with your contactless credit card
Using a credit/debit card works on all of the different types of TAP validators on our bus and rail system.
- Choose the card you want to use — either a physical credit or debit card or by opening your smartphone’s wallet and tapping on a digital credit card
- Tap it on the TAP validator when boarding a bus or entering a rail station. When the validator lights up green, you’re good to go.
Fare will be charged to your card, like any other contactless purchase. Transactions are safe! We’re using the same security protocols used by merchants and credit card companies across the world.
All the major credit cards are supported, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and Union Pay.
Use the same card during your trip
Important: use the same card in the same payment form for your entire journey to receive the same benefits riders get with regular fare TAP cards:
- Free transfers on Metro within two hours
- As mentioned above, use the same card to enjoy fare capping, which helps riders earn free rides once they reach the 1-day ($5) or 7-day fare limit ($18)
- Discounted transfers between Metro and the local agencies that use TAP.
For example, if you use a plastic credit/debit card to start your transit trip, use that same plastic card for your entire trip. Another example: if you start your trip with a digital credit/debit card in your phone’s wallet, stick with that same digital card for the rest of the trip.
Proof of fare
As part of our work to ensure the Metro system is used for its intended purpose, security personnel will continue to observe and check that proper fare was paid.
If asked, please be ready to show proof of fare payment by presenting your TAP card, or receipt or ride history of your credit or debit card.
Neat trick for paying fare with smartphones
You can also use your digital contactless credit or debit card without having to wake your Android phone or iPhone. See instructions below.
Android phones
1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Account > Wallet settings.
3. Under “Security,” tap Verification settings > Transit payments.
4. Turn off Verification required.
iPhones
1. Open the Wallet app and select the credit or debit card
2. Tap the More button (), then tap Card Details
3. Tap Express Mode
4. Select your preferred payment card.
Seeing credit and debit card transactions
There are two ways you can view transit fare purchases made with a credit or debit card:
- On your credit/debit card statements.
- Riders can also check their transaction history by linking their credit card in their TAP account or by entering their credit card number on this status page on taptogo.net. Checking the second box allows you to check fares purchased with a bank card or credit card.
Paying for friends and family
Riders will be able to tap the same credit or debit card to pay for themselves and up to four additional riders in their group.
Tip #1: The person tapping should stand at the fare box or validator, tap for each person they’re paying for and then, finally, tap for themselves.
Tip #2: If paying for a group, please keep the group together for the entire transit journey. This will help everyone transfer (if necessary) and ensures everyone can provide proof of paid fare.
Coming soon
The credit and debit card payment option for reduced-fare riders expected to be added in early 2027.
More information will be available soon at taptogo.net.
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