How does the LA Metro work?

How to Ride Metro Rail
  1. Get to your station. Arrive 10 minutes early and wait for your train to arrive.
  2. Pay with TAP. Buy a TAP card and load fare at the TAP vending machine. ...
  3. Board the Train. Wait for train to make a complete stop and stand behind the yellow line. ...
  4. Enjoy the Ride.
  5. Exit the Train.




People Also Ask

All fares can be pre-paid by loading a pass or Stored Valued (cash) on a TAP card and then tapping each time you board. On buses you can also pay for a single ride with a token or cash using exact change. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about our new fare structure.

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Fare capping Once you pay that amount called a “cap” all rides on Metro buses and trains are free. Metro has 1-Day and 7-Day Caps. Fare capping works when you pay for rides with a TAP card or Apple Wallet. Play Video about Two passengers boarding a Metro vehicle using a TAP card and reader.

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In the TAP app, sign in or create a TAP account. In the Cards section, press the add card icon at the top left. Press “Add a TAP Card on Your Phone.” Follow the prompts to add a “virtual” TAP card to your phone to use it to tap and pay.

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Pay with Cash Exact change is accepted on buses that do not have All-Door Boarding. Transfers are not included. To ride Metro Rail, you must pay with a TAP card. Alert Metro tokens are no longer accepted as payment.

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Where to buy/reload a TAP card
  1. Online at taptogo.net.
  2. On the TAP app, available in the App Store and Google Play.
  3. By phone at 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646)
  4. At over 450 TAP Vendor Locations.
  5. At TAP Vending Machines located at all Metro Rail, J (Silver) and G (Orange) Line stations.


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Unfortunately, the LA Metro system does not run 24/7! Most trains run from 4 a.m. until midnight or 1 a.m. on Sunday – Thursday, and all lines (including the Orange and Silver Line Busways) run until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

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How to Ride Metro Bus. Fares can be paid using cash (exact change) or a TAP card. Regular fare is $1.75 and is good for 2 hrs of unlimited transfers in one direction.

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Metro Rail Red Line is the most useful for tourists and visitors. This line links Downtown Union Station to North Hollywood via Hollywood and Universal City. It also connects with the Blue, Expo and Orange lines. Purple Line connects Downtown Los Angeles to Westlake and Koreatown.

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The best way to get around Los Angeles is by car. Los Angeles is spread out across about 500 square miles, and while there is a public transportation system, its routes are limited compared to those found in other major cities.

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All fares can be pre-paid by loading a pass or Stored Valued (cash) on a TAP card and then tapping each time you board. On buses you can also pay for a single ride with a token or cash using exact change.

MORE DETAILS