Metrolink provides for continued seamless connection to Metro Rail as turnstiles are latched permanently at Los Angeles Union Station
LOS ANGELES - Today, Metrolink publicly celebrated its new TAP-enabled tickets and passes as Metro latched turnstiles to the Red and Purple subway lines at Los Angeles Union Station. In May, Metrolink began to offer a new fare featuring an embedded smart chip that activates turnstiles and validators at all Metro Rail stations.
Metro first installed free-spinning TAP turnstiles in 2009 and was prepared to latch the gates last year, but delayed the effort to ensure Metrolink could to create a TAP-enabled fare.
"Metrolink and Metro have worked collaboratively to make this day a reality," said Metrolink Board of Directors Chair and San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris. "The commitment shown on the part of Metrolink's Board of Directors representing Metro has been unparalleled. The message was very clear to the staffs of both agencies, 'come up with a solution.' Hard working men and women did exactly that, and these paper tickets are on the cutting edge of technology in this field.
"It was through this commitment that Metrolink riders can continue to transfer to the Metro Rail system at no additional cost," Morris added at a press conference this morning at the East Portal Mezzanine just outside the entrance to the Metro Red and Purple subway station.
In the past 30 days, Metrolink riders have tapped more than 100,000 times at Metro turnstiles and validators. Metro's TAP program reduces fare evasion, while improving the safety and security of the system.
Metrolink's TAP-enabled tickets are dispensed from Metrolink Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), and all riders are required to physically tap their tickets at the turnstiles and validators when transferring to a Metro Rail line. When boarding a bus, the current policy of passengers simply showing the bus operator a Metrolink ticket is still in effect. Tapping of Metrolink tickets is not required on buses.
Metrolink riders have always been able to transfer seamlessly to all Metro subway, light rail and bus lines. Throughout the region, Metrolink offers connections to nearly 30 other public transportation providers at no additional cost.
Metro will continue to latch turnstiles at its rail stations during the remainder of 2013.
For more information and details about Metrolink's TAP-enabled tickets please visit http://www.metrolinktrains.com/tap.
ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 20th year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the seventh largest based on annual ridership.
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