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ChineseThe TAP Card Untapped
[tags]tap card, metro, los angeles, public transit, smart card, fares, public transit[/tags]
This past month I had the opportunity to take part in a test program of the much anticipated and mysterious TAP card. The TAP card, short for Transit Access Pass, has been talked about for quite a while now (I wrote an article about it around this time last year) and starting this October it finally went public for a 2-month trial period. This public test was hardly advertised, I only found out in late October through one of our commenters that the TAP cards were available at a select few pass outlets, so I could only try it out for the month of November. Unfortunately I was out of the country for much of November riding some fully realized transit systems (more on that in another post). Nonetheless, I jumped at the opportunity and went down to the LADOT Transit Store in the Los Angeles Mall near City Hall to pick up a TAP card for myself and see if it was all I hoped for and more.
Before I relay my experience with the card, I’d like to share what my expectations were before I used the card, based on the minimal information I had acquired up to that point. From my understanding, the TAP card is part of a Universal Fare System (UFS) that is meant to unify all the various transit agencies in the region by using a single smart card. One card to rule them all, if you will. Now of course, I thought there was already a low-tech version of this card, the EZ Transit Pass, which for $70 a month will get you unlimited rides on pretty much all the carriers in the region. What set the TAP card apart, in my mind, was the fact that you could put a certain amount of money on the card, and as you tapped money would be debited, with a cap at the cost of an EZ Transit Pass. In other words, if I tapped more than 56 times in a month, I would never be charged over $70 (the cost of an EZ Pass) and if I tapped under 56 times I would be charged as if I had paid the base fare each time. The idea excited me because it brought the convenience and efficiency of a pass to everyone. Often, even though I know I won’t ride more than 49 times a month I still buy a monthly pass just because it’s so much more convenient than carrying around exact change all the time. You just flash it and you go, no need to stop at the ticket machine as the train is pulling away and no need to fumble with loose change and people wait behind you on the bus.
Now back to my first hand experience with the TAP card in the real world. At the LADOT Transit Store I picked up a brochure entitled “An Easier Way to Pay Your Fare: Introducing TAP” that was meant as a primer to the TAP program. It claimed “There’s a great new way to pay your fare on buses and trains in LA” for three reasons: It’s Smart - Your TAP card actually remembers your monthly pass information; It’s Simple - With TAP, all you do is tap the fare box and go; It’s Secure - Your TAP card can be replaced if you lose it. Looking at the Frequently Asked Questions in the brochure revealed more: the TAP card is currently only accepted on Metro, but over the next two years most municipal lines will accept TAP; the TAP card is currently limited to regular monthly passes, soon TAP will store different types of passes and values; when transferring from one rail line to another, a tap of the TAP card is required; you must tap everytime, if you fail to tap you will be cited for fare evasion.
I’ll be honest, my heart sunk as I read the brochure. I know this was just a testing phase, but the system seemed so incomplete, so far from what I had hoped. The most shocking aspect was that it was just a monthly pass, nothing more. This was confirmed when I went to buy the card. I got $5 off for taking part in the test so the monthly pass only cost $57 instead of $62, but that’s all I got, a plastic monthly pass. Keep in mind that I was going to be out of the country for 2-weeks, so this would have been a perfect month for me to test out the pay-as-you-go capabilities of my dream TAP card, but alas I ended up buying a monthly pass whose value I would never fully use. What’s more, in contrast to how I normally buy a monthly pass, this time I had to fill out a form with personal information (full name, address, email, etc.) in order to put the pass on my TAP card.
The card, pictured above, is the size and make of your standard credit card. The smart chip is embedded within the plastic and virtually invisible. On the back of the card are a number of rules and regulations, one of the most sinister being “A service fee of $1.00 per month will be deducted from any remaining fare product value after 18 months of inactivity.” I slipped the card into my wallet and went on my way.
My first experience using the TAP was on the Red Line at the Civic Center Station. I walked in, mindful of the TAP validators and tapped my card, which was in my wallet but on the outer window. To my delight it read my card through the wallet and I heard a beep and on the validator screen the word “GO” appeared. So I had done it. I had tapped a TAP card at last. And the first thing I felt after doing this? I felt silly. One of the reasons the TAP brochure gave for the TAP card being better was that “It’s Simple - With TAP, all you do is tap the fare box and go”. But wait, with my old monthly pass I didn’t have to tap anything… I just went. After just a few more rail rides with the TAP card my opinion really began to solidify. As it stands now, the TAP card on Metro Rail is stupid. It doesn’t make sense. It’s less convenient and logical than a paper pass in nearly every way with the exception that it makes less paper waste. I can’t tell you how many times I forgot to tap. Of course, with a paper pass there’s no need to make any stops in the station, and if you hear your train coming you can run and hop right on. If I made it to the platform without tapping my TAP I’d suddenly feel a ping of guilt/humiliation/fear as I knew I didn’t want to go back upstairs to tap my card and risk missing my train/looking like a fool but at the same time I didn’t want to get nabbed for fare evasion as the TAP primer informed me I would. Then it dawned on me… I could be fined for fare evasion even though I had paid my fare! So even with a monthly pass in my possession I was evading fares on numerous occasions simply because I forgot to tap the randomly placed validators. This is when I realized we would be getting fare gates. Without them, the whole TAP system is utter nonsense. At one point I was on a train and a fare inspector showed up… I flashed him my nondescript TAP card. At least before he could have checked at the very least that it was a pass for the right month, but now he either has to assume I’m carrying a TAP card with value or he has to carry around a likely expensive handheld TAP validator and eventually, once TAP is fully implemented, waste time having everyone on the train tap his validator. What was once simple is now complicated.
TAP works fine on the bus as well, but a similar problem emerges. Before, with a pass, I could simply flash my pass and board… a relatively quick and easy way to board a bus. If someone was paying using cash, I could walk around them and flash the pass to the bus driver and take a seat. Now, and in the future once TAP is fully implemented, everyone must wait in line. Sure, tapping is not as slow as dropping change into the fare box, but it’s not as fast as flashing a pass. I imagine there will be signficantly longer wait times at bus stops once TAP is fully implemented.
As it stands right now, there are a few other problems I have with TAP. One is that the rail validators (when I actually remember to use them) offer few visual clues as to whether your tap was “valid” or “invalid”. The screen on the tap validators is dim and small, and since there are no gates you generally want to tap as you walk by… you don’t really feel like pausing and waiting for the screen to say “GO”. A few times, for no good reason, the screen said “Add pass or value to TAP” and I only noticed because I decided to pause and wait for the response. A large green light for “GO” and red for “Invalid” would be more effective. Of course, gates will solve all of this.
My short experience with the TAP was a letdown. The current inability to use it as anything but a regular monthly pass makes it pretty worthless. In fact, if they offered the test program again this month, I definitely would not participate. In my opinion the TAP pass should add value to the transit experience. It should, as Metro promotes, make riding “Smart, Simple, and Secure” but as it stands now it unneccessarily complicates the process with little added value beyond less paper waste and a little added security. I hope Metro addresses many of these issues and has another test program before officially releasing TAP to the public.
Links:
- MetroRiderLA: TAPing Into the Future of Metro
- Metro’s barbones TAP site
- ACS Awarded New Regional Transit Contract in Los Angeles
- Oyster Card: London’s Fare Card System
- Charlie Card: Boston’s Fare Card System
Discussion
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I was also one of the people who participated in the TAP program, and it caused more confusion and problems than using a regular Metro pass.
I used the TAP during October and November, paying $80 ($75 after the discount) for a monthly pass plus zone 1 express. From the first day I used it, the fareboxes on the express buses wouldn’t read my pass properly (take note that I said express buses). Every time I used the TAP, the display would show, “#ZONES?” and give this long, annoying beep. I had to tell the drivers that I indeed did purchase a monthly pass with zone express, and whether they believed me or not, they let me go. Now I would have to assume that the drivers have to do something on their end to input how many zones the bus travels through, but I have no idea. Here’s the catch though: on the local and rapid buses and on the rail lines, the TAP works fine. The display says, “Expr Z1,” and I am good to go, which solidifies that I do have zone 1 express programmed into the TAP. There was one incident when I boarded the 78 where the driver wasn’t paying attention and didn’t see me use the TAP, and he motioned me to go back to the farebox and use the TAP again, but it gave an error because I had already used it. It’s good that the fareboxes recognize whether or not a certain TAP has already been used recently, but now you have to wonder what if the driver doesn’t pay attention and thinks you’re trying to board without paying your fare.
On the DASH, I’m able to simply show my TAP as though it were a regular paper pass, and the drivers accept it, even if I don’t have a valid monthly pass on it.
I went back to a paper pass this month (there was a representative at the LADOT Transit Store who said that the TAP can be reloaded again, but I had to buy an EZ Pass this month). While I’m glad that Metro’s finally using smart card technology (when I was in Hong Kong, I was using their smart card, the Octopus Card, to get everywhere, and it was superb), I agree that Metro has a long way to go to get things right. I guess that’s why they have this testing period.
Thanks for the input Alan. I didn’t get many opportunities to use mine, so it’s good to hear stories from others who participated in the test.
And it’s going to be a long testing period. Santa Monica recently refreshed their “Little Blue Cards” (making them incompatible with the rest of the Metrocard system) and many of the agencies, such as Gardena and Beach Cities, have ancient fare collection mechanisms.
Incidentally, it is illegal to charge a service fee on gift cards (which this is technically is) in the State of California, so I’m sure someone will challenge them on that.
It may not technically be illegal. I just did a quick check, and according to one source I found, the fees are legal for multi-merchant gift cards, and since TAP is intended for multiple bus systems, it may skirt around that rule.
I would like a pay per fare usable on all EZ Transit providers TAP card, but I agree in that I don’t see much usefulness before that. While I definitely don’t use it enough to justify the cost alone (as I bicycle to work, so I just use it when I go elsewhere), the convenience of a EZ Transit pass can’t be beat (especially since I live near LAX, where I regularly end up using Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, Beach Cities Transit, and Torrance Transit, in addition to Metro).
One other disadvantage I noticed about TAP is while perhaps this isn’t supposed to happen, one time recently when I was on a 333, which was nearly full, and people didn’t move back to make room for new people getting on, some people boarded at the rear door and just flashed their pass (although 1 or 2 people possibly skipped their fare, as they didn’t flash a pass, and while the bus driver said something, she didn’t force them to come pay either…
in London i used the oyster card and the boarding time on buses was swift and efficient. just as fast as here in LA. the bus driver is in a sealed off area and doesn’t even notice wuts going on cuz everyone is flooding on with the ease of a simple TAP! but like you said, there is no idiotic mini screen that says “GO”, just a light that turns green and a nice little “beep” though no one is slow enough to care. then again, thats london and this is LA where such advancements and encouragement for public transit are near polar opposites.
this happens all the time. pretty much a guarantee for all 720’s and 920’s (if not all day, definitely during rush hours). and there’s no way to stop it really because those buses are so absurdly over packed (doi we need the purple line!) that to wait for everyone to get on from the front would make an already long boarding time even more tedious. so i’m sure some people are skipping fare, but good riddance, wilshire is such a terrible experience at this point a free ride is owed for all the headache’s induced.
*as in when you have a monthly pass and are just flashing it real quick without stopping
I participated and I ride rail, Blue & Red lines, as well. I found the ‘tapping’ aspect pointless without gates, esp. when I heard that I was supposed to tap a second time when transferring from Blue to Red, like I am going to push my way across that sea of humanity that heads downstairs at after exiting the Blue Line. Also mid-way thru the test period I received an email from Metro asking that I participate in an online survey, only problem was that the link ref. had a typo and didn’t take you to the survey. Doh.
well I’m on a MTA commuitte
and all of us got MTA ID tap cards
(they are our id as well as a tap card) and lately I have never had a problem tap the card on the fare box
I wonder,
1)How this will work on our Light Rail Lines since there are no gates currently being implemented at those stations?
2) For Metrolink riders transfering at Union Station, will there be a special TAP card already built into their Monthly passes/tickets?
3) For transfering between Gold and Red/Purple Lines at Union Station will riders have to Tap twice between boarding areas, ie Gold Line tapping OUT walking through the ped tunnel to the Subway entrance and then Tapping IN?
1) For Light Rail stations that remain on the honor system, it will probably be the same TAP readers they have at most if not all stations already, where you just TAP on the way through the entrance to the station, either at the bottom of the steps, or right before entering the platform.
2) no idea
3) If they decide to do distance based fares with TAP in then TAP out, then probably.
The staff report envisions tap in/tap out at all stations, because otherwise they would have to locate readers around each interchange station to make sure that the extra fare is charged (which snags a long of newbie riders who don’t feel the need to pay for the $5 day pass).
Metrolink has been looking at how they will comply with the TAP system, but there are rumblings from the out of LA County board memebrs (who outnumber the LA County board members on the SCRRA board) stating that they are not going to be punished for LA County’s decision. So most likely that could mean a surcharge for LA County riders to embed RFID cards on a ticket. In addition, I have no idea what the flow through rate will be at the Gold Line and Red/Purple platforms at Union Station. Since a Metrolink train dumps 400-500 passengers, the majority of which transfer to rail, this is very important.
mkay, first off, South Korea has had this for about 5 years now and the Korean Citizens have no problem with it. I’m visiting my relatives in Korea right now and i got myself a “TAP card” aka “T-money” card. its pre-paid. you buy the card, which is 3,000Won(about 3 dollars) and you charge it with however much money you want to. i put 20,000Won in my card (about $20 bucks) and it’s the best thing i’ve ever used. i just tap and go everywhere. Subway, Bus, even TAXIS have it here. but then again, Korea’s Subway system is like Number one. seriously, LA seems like a dump compared to here. its so clean, and the tap card areas are all organized so that they’re accompanied with regular ticket stub thingamabobs. AND this is the best thing. there is a sensor in the booth so when you “TAP” and the booth doesn’t read it, theres are flaps that close you in so you can’t go through. that way you can’t evade the fair(unless you hop the flap thing). the flaps stay open until it reads your card and after that, you’re on your way. and its not embarassing. it happens ya’ know? and yes. the card gets read through wallets. heck, girls just put their WHOLE PURSE on the read HAHAHA yeah, when i told my friend about the TAP card, he started laughing saying that America only has the Army and no technology. he said that the Japanese dominate the car side of america and Korea dominates the cellphones. i thought about this as an AMERICAN CITIZEN. not as a fellow asian and he was actually right. LG and SAMSUNG are top in the cellphone area and Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Lexus are up at the top in the car area. what im trying to say is..this whole “TAP” card thing might be a big deal in america, but East-Asian countries laugh and mock us for our lack of technological improvement ]:
now, im not being racist, or bias or whatever. im just giving you my opinion on this subject [:
and for Jerard Wright,
if America is copying the East-Asian system then no you dont have to tap twice. you TAP once when you first go in and then you just transfer as many times as you need to in between, and then you just TAP on your way out. BUT there IS a added DISTANCE fee. if you’re on the same line and you only for about 3-4 stops then there isn’t an added fee. but if you go for like 10+ stops and then switch or whatever, then there is a distance fee. about 400Won (40cents) more or less.
The argument that you don’t like the TAP system because you have to pull your card out and “tap” it on the sensor is the poorest excuse I have ever heard. First, you completely ignore the fact that the MTA will be implementing gates and turnstiles starting this year (and for the next two years) in all metro stations going forward and paper passes will likely be phased out at some point during that time. Even if paper passes are not phased out, you will likely have take out your pass and insert it into a machine to operate the turnstiles (like in NYC and DC). So, the great “convenience” you speak of is going away - so deal with it. Quit complaining about not having to show your pass when you board. I can think of no major metropolitan system that does not require you to have a ticket or pass to get into the subway.
Yes, the TAP program is not infallable (particularly in buses). But its going to be an improvement on the current ‘honor’ system that is a complete joke.
A lot of you are worried about what will happen when you have to “double tap” out of the gold line/green line into the redline. Seriously, you are making mountains out of mole hills. The system will probably work the same as it does in DC: For people who infrequently ride the metro, they will probably be able to charge their tap card for a set amount (like $5, $10, $20, etc), thus allowing them to use only what they need. For people who more frequent ride the metro/gold line/etc (or make multiple line changes), they will probably be able to purchase monthly or yearly passes allowing them unlimited access to Metro buses - just as they do today with the paper passes. Also, like today, riders will probably be charged a bit more if you want to add a “zone” to their pass. I see the tap card as a replacement to the paper pass for those people who like to purchase their passes online or with a credit card. For example, I know that at certain gold line stations there are Tap “recharge” stations already in place to do exactly that.
The bottom line friends is that you need to quit freaking out over nothing!!!! Geeez.
Rider wrote:
I think you’re missing the point of Fred’s post. It was not that its an inconvenience to take out a card and TAP it–thats not the issue–its that right now theres no reason to. Its a joke. The point and advantage of a TAP system would be to TAP the card and the fare would automatically be deducted from your electronic balance. Then when you’ve TAPPED the equivalent of say, a month pass, it no longer deducts from your balance until the next month when you start over again. It’s pretty simple in theory but unfortunately as many things go with Metro, in practice it seems to be a complete failure. Because what I just stated isn’t happening like Metro said and sold that it would. So no, pulling out a card and TAPPING isn’t the problem, its that currently (and unless they do a huge push to make these expected improvements before its finally implemented) the TAP card is pointless and offers absolutely no advantage to the Rider.
This shows that you didn’t really get the breadth of the post for it’s not a complaint about this ultimate desire to show a ticket to the checker–that it’s so absolutely enjoyable–it’s that under the current system this is the only true way to put a check on the “honor” system. I assume you ride Metro so you know that there are no gates and therefore even with your TAP card there’s no more reason to make a person TAP as there was to pay in the first place. Nothing has changed. Now fare gates are to be installed over the next couple years (way over budget and broken as an escalator i’m sure) but until such a thing actually happens the only way to continue to monitor the “honor” system will be with the same fare checkers. And not only continue, they’ll have to have what i’m sure are going to be expensive portable electronic TAPs on them to see if you in fact tapped your card before you boarded. For right now, flashing the TAP card to a checker is no different than showing them a monthly pass even if there’s zero balance on the card.
The point is. The TAP card as of now is a mockery of the TAP system shared by Ryan’s Korean rail, London, Atlanta, Chicago, and many other cities, and if Metro doesn’t truly step up to the plate to make it an actual improvement, not just a change, I don’t see the point on the money being spent.
Rider wrote:
If you check the timestamp of this post you will realize that is was written before Metro announced they would be going to a gated system. In fact, if you read the post with that in mind you will realize that I predicted that Metro would switch to gates:
[...] Recently on MetroRiderLA we discussed the fare gates to come on most Metro Rail stations in the near future, as well as the TAP Card’s role in enabling fare gates. [...]
[...] not be the case (at least not yet) and came to the stunning realization that TAP and Metro Rail just didn’t make sense together. Well today we know we are getting fare gates to solve that problem (er… I mean stop [...]