LA Metro to Reinstate TAP-to-Exit at Red Line Stations Next Week

Los Angeles Metro will require all riders to tap their TAP cards when exiting the North Hollywood and Union Station stations, beginning Monday, November 17, as part of a renewed effort to combat fare evasion and improve station safety.

The TAP-to-exit program, currently in place at the E Line’s Downtown Santa Monica Station and soon to include the A Line’s Pomona North Station, was initially launched at North Hollywood in May 2024. Metro reported a 90% decrease in loitering and a 12% decrease in crime at that station following implementation, with a significant majority of riders reporting increased feelings of safety and cleanliness. However, the program was paused in April 2025 after the Los Angeles Fire Department raised concerns about potential emergency egress bottlenecks.

Following the suspension, crime rates at North Hollywood increased by 67% and at Union Station by 116%, while the agency lost nearly $35,000 in unpaid fares. Metro data indicates the program recovered over $130,000 in fare revenue within the first month at North Hollywood alone, identifying 15,000 unpaid rides and increasing fare compliance by 11%. This revenue is crucial for maintaining and improving the city’s public transportation system, which serves millions of commuters daily. Similar tap-to-exit systems are utilized in other major cities like San Francisco, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. to address fare evasion. You can find more information about TAP cards and fares on the LA Metro website.

Metro officials stated they have addressed the LAFD’s concerns and are confident in the system’s ability to operate safely, and will continue to monitor the program’s effectiveness at all participating stations.