Metro officials encouraged bus and rail users Wednesday to purchase TAP cards in preparation for fare changes set to take effect later this month.
Metro’s base fare, which is increasing to $1.75 from $1.50 on Sept. 15, will include two hours of free transfers — but only for people who use TAP cards.
According to Metro, 26 percent of its transit riders still pay with cash, and about half of them make trips that require transfers.
The free transfers will also come assist riders who currently opt for longer bus rides in order to avoid paying to transfer to a faster rail route, according to Kelly Hines, Metro’s TAP technical systems director.
TAP cards are required to ride a Metro rail line. The cards cost $1.
Metro officials said the agency plans to sell TAP cards over the next month at 30 “high-volume” bus stops in locations where there are no nearby TAP vending machines.
The Sept. 15 fare changes also include a $2 increase in the cost of a day pass, from $5 to $7. The weekly pass will increase to $25, up from $20, while the cost of a 30-day pass will jump to $100, up from $75.
The peak-hour fare for the disabled and people aged 62 and older will increase to 75 cents from 55 cents. Their off-peak fare will increase from 25 cents to 35 cents.
