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Low Income Fare is Easy (LIFE)
The LIFE program helps qualifying LA County residents save on fares. Once you’re in the program, you can load 20 free regional rides on Metro or purchase a discounted pass on any of the 13 LIFE participating transit agencies.
As of July 1, Metro put a cap on how much riders pay for bus and rail. It’s called fare capping. Which means the more you ride, the more you will save. Learn more here.
Please note that we are currently experiencing a high volume of applications. The application processing time may take longer than expected. We appreciate your patience during this time.
Sign up now for a free 90-day pass!
If you’re new to the program, you will get a free 90-day pass. After the first 90 days, you can continue to load the LIFE discounted passes or 20 free rides onto your TAP card.
Sign-Up Events
Step 1: Find out if you are eligible.
If you live in LA County and your income falls within these limits, you are eligible.
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $44,150 or less |
| 2 | $50,450 or less |
| 3 | $56,750 or less |
| 4 | $63,050 or less |
| 5 | $68,100 or less |
| 6 | $73,150 or less |
Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants under the age of 18, must be enrolled with an adult as head of household.
Individuals who receive transportation discounts from the city/county schools or employers, or are Access or U-Pass cardholders, are not eligible to participate in the LIFE Program.
Step 2: Fill out the application.
If you would like to submit proof of income with your application, click below to find examples of acceptable forms.
Any benefits card that provides cash or food or any award or letter that verifies your participation in an assistance program, including:
- EBT verification letter
- Medi-Cal card
- Social Security Award
- Social Security Disability Award
- General relief cash aid eligibility letter
- Unemployment letter
- SNAP eligibility letter
- TANF eligibility letter
- CalFresh eligibility letter
- Free or reduced lunch letter
- Check stub or tax return form
- Wages and tax statement form (ex: 1099 or W-2)
- Bank statement indicating direct deposits from the U.S. Treasury
- Bank statements indicating employer direct deposit
Do you have a TAP card?
If you have a valid Regular (blue) or Reduced Fare (orange) TAP card, you will need to add the card number on your application.
No TAP card? No problem. You can still apply, and it’s easy to request one on the application.
If you are a senior, person with disabilities, college/vocational student or K-12 (GoPass students exempt), you also can apply for a Reduced Fare TAP card here.
Step 3: Submit your application.
Submit your application one of the following ways:
- Email, mail or in-person at FAME Assistance Corporation or International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) .
- Drop off at Metro Customer Centers, LADOT, Big Blue Bus location, Blue: The Transit Store , or Long Beach Transit.
| Contact FAME if you live in: Antelope Valley, Central Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, South Bay or Westside Cities. | Contact IILA if you live in: Gateway Cities or San Gabriel Valley. |
FAME: Mailing address: (323) 870-8567 | IILA: Mailing address: (818) 244-2550 |
When your application is approved, a free 90-day pass will automatically be loaded to your TAP card. The 90-day pass will activate once you TAP onto any LIFE participating transit systems. Additionally, you will be able to purchase fare products on LIFE-participating transit systems at a reduced cost.
Enroll in person at these locations.
Antelope Valley
Palmdale SAVES
1002 East Avenue Q-12, Palmdale 93550
Tel 661.267.5191
Mon – Fri 9am to 4pm
Contact: Kathy Roethler
Central Los Angeles
52nd Street Elementary School – Healthy Start
816 W. 51st St, LA 90037
Tel 323.753.3175 or 424.244.4232
Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday 9am to 11am
Central City Neighborhood Partners
501 S. Bixel St, LA 90017
Tel 213.482.8618
Thursday only, from 9am to 1pm
Contact: Celene Rodriguez
Cypress Park Community Center
929 Cypress Ave, LA 90065
Tel 323.226.1682
Mon – Thur 10am to 3:30pm, by appointment only (must call)
Contact: Alicia Reyes
El Centro De Pueblo
1824 W. Sunset Blvd, LA 90026
Tel 213.483.6335
Tue, Wed and Thur, by appointment only (must call)
Contact: Sabrina Ortega or Yesenia Zamora
FAME Assistance Corporations
1968 W. Adams Blvd, LA 90018
Tel 323.870.8567
Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm
Hollywood Family Source Center
900 N. Western Ave, LA 90029
Tel 323.412.0607
9am to 4:30pm, by appointment only (must call)
Contact: Josh Lee
West Angeles Community Development Corp
3045 Crenshaw Blvd, LA 90016
Tel 323.733.8300 ext 2272
Tues, Wed and Thur 11am to 2pm
Contact: Yvonne Davis
Koreatown Youth Community Center
1230 Menlo Ave, Suite 100, LA 90006
Tel 213.365.7400
Thursdays only, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Gateway Cities
Noble Quest
4811 Florence Ave, Bell 90201
Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm
Contact: Ana Moncada
Inner City Struggle 3467 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Walk-ins: Mon, Tues, Thur from 9am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5pm
For appointments: 323.780.7605 or 818.643.1598
San Fernando Valley
Noble Quest
14435 Hamlin St, Suite 108, Van Nuys 91401
Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm
Contact: Ana Moncada
Pacoima Middle School – Healthy Start
9919 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima 91331
Tel 818.686.4229
By appointment only
Panorama High School – Healthy Start
8015 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City 91402
Tel 818.909.4525
Mon – Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm
San Fernando High School – Healthy Start
11133 O’Melveny Ave, San Fernando 91340
Tel 818.898.7616
Mon – Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm, by appointment only
Valerio Street Elementary School
15035 Valerio St, Van Nuys 91405
Tel 818.785.8683
Mon – Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Contact: Karen Amaya Munoz Dovlatyan
El Nido Family Centers
11243 Glenoaks Blvd Suite 4, Pacoima 91331
Tel 818.896.7776
Mon – Fri 8am to 6pm, by appointment only
Chase Street Elementary – Healthy Start
14041 Chase St, Panorama City, CA 91402
Mon – Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Tel 818.830.4440
Coldwater Canyon Elementary – Healthy Start
6850 Coldwater Canyon Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605
Mon – Fri 7:30am to 4:00pm
Tel 626.600.8422
James Monroe High School – Healthy Start
9229 Haskell Ave, North Hills, CA 91343
Mon-Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm, By appointment only
Tel 818.830.4314
Noble Ave Elementary – Healthy Start
8329 Noble Ave, North Hills, CA 91343
Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm & Wednesdays 10:00am to 11:30am
Tel 818.892.1151
San Gabriel Valley
International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA)
9060 Telstar Ave, Ste. 223, El Monte 91731
Tel 818.244.2550
Mon – Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm, by appointment only
Santa Clarita Valley
Goodwill SoCal Santa Clarita AJCC
20730 Soledad Street, Unit L, Santa Clarita 91351
Tel 661.298.0152 ext 31
Mon – Fri 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm
Contact: Melissa McCubbins
South Bay
Harbor Interfaith Services
Access Center 599 W. 9th St, San Pedro 90731
Tel 424.276.3602
Mon – Fri, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm
Toberman Neighborhood Center
131 N. Grand Ave, San Pedro 90731
Tel 310.832.1145 ext 118
Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm
Contact: Lorenzo Hernandez or Monica Heredia
TAP To Go!
Where to load LIFE discount fare or 20 free regional rides onto your TAP card:
- Visit your local TAP vendor
- Call 866.827.8646
- Visit taptogo.net
LIFE Discounts
Fares for any of the participating transit operators are subject to change.
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride Option | |||
| 20 Regional Rides: Base fare only. Interagency transfers are additional cost. FREE rides will be captured first before fare capping. | Free for LIFE Participants | ||
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Metro Bike Share 30-Day Pass | $17.00 | $12.00 | $5.00 |
| Metro Bike Share 365-Day Pass | $150.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $50.00 | $24.00 | $26.00 |
| Regular 7-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $15.00 | $6.00 | $9.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 30-Day Monthly Pass | $25.00 | $8.00 | $17.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 7-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $7.50 | $2.00 | $5.50 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Regular 7-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $60.00 | $24.00 | $36.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 31-Day Monthly Pass | $30.00 | $8.00 | $22.00 |
| College/Vocational 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $40.00 | $13.00 | $27.00 |
| Student K-12 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $40.00 | $10.00 | $30.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $36.00 | $24.00 | $12.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $18.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| Student K-12 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $22.00 | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 31-Day/Monthly Pass | $18.00 | $18.00 | $ – |
| Regular 7-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $5.00 | $5.00 | $ – |
| Senior/Disabled 31-Day Monthly Pass | $9.00 | $8.00 | $1.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $65.00 | $24.00 | $41.00 |
| Regular 5-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $18.00 | $6.00 | $12.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 30-Day Monthly Pass | $24.00 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 5-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $9.00 | $2.00 | $7.00 |
| College/Vocational 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $40.00 | $13.00 | $27.00 |
| Student K-12 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $40.00 | $10.00 | $30.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Student K-12 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $30.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Norwalk Transit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $15.00 | $15.00 | $ – |
| Senior/Disabled 30-Day Monthly Pass | $7.00 | $7.00 | $ – |
| Student K-12 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $10.00 | $10.00 | $ – |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $24.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $34.00 | $24.00 | $10.0 |
| Senior/Disabled 30-Day Monthly Pass | $ – | $ – | $ – |
| College/Vocational 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $34.00 | $13.00 | $21.00 |
| Student K-12 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $34.00 | $10.00 | $24.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $50.00 | $24.00 | $26.00 |
| Regular 7-Day/Weekly Pass (up to four/mo) | $14.00 | $6.00 | $8.00 |
| Senior/Disabled 30-Day Monthly Pass | $24.00 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
| Fare Type | Fare | LIFE Discount | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Option | |||
| Regular 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $35.00 | $24.00 | $11.00 |
| College/Vocational 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $30.00 | $13.00 | $17.00 |
| Student K-12 30-Day/Monthly Pass | $30.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| Regular EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $110.00 | $24.00 | $86.00 |
| Senior/Disabled EZ Transit Pass (base fare) | $42.00 | $8.00 | $34.00 |
| Ride Option | |||
| 20-Regional Rides: Base Fare Only. Interagency transfers are additional cost | Free for LIFE Participants |
Frequently Asked Questions
A new way to pay fare on Metro bus and rail. Learn more about fare changes and how fare capping works at metro.net/about/farecapping/
Each month, Metro riders who are enrolled in LIFE can continue to load 20 free regional rides onto their TAP card. Once all 20 rides have been used, LIFE riders will participate in fare capping, where they will use Stored Value to pay for each ride until they reach the 1-day or 7-day cap. LIFE participants who don’t ride Metro can continue to use their discount towards the purchase of a transit pass from a LIFE participating transit agency.
No, program administrators FAME or IILA are accepting applications by mail, email and in-person. Metro Customer Centers, LADOT , Long Beach Transit and the Big Blue Bus location, Blue: The Transit Store, are accepting drop-off applications. You can also submit an online application.
You have the option to self-certify your income on the application.
Any benefits card that provides cash or food or any award or letter that verifies your participation in an assistance program, including:
- EBT verification letter
- Medi-Cal card
- Social Security Award
- Social Security Disability Award
- General relief cash aid eligibility letter
- Unemployment letter
- SNAP eligibility letter
- TANF eligibility letter
- CalFresh eligibility letter
- Free or reduced lunch letter
- Check stub or tax return form
- Wages and tax statement form (ex: 1099 or W-2)
- Bank statement indicating direct deposits from the U.S. Treasury
- Bank statements indicating employer direct deposit
Your LIFE discounts will be available 24 hours after you receive your enrollment confirmation.
The pass will be ready to use 24 hours after enrollment approval. The pass is valid for base fare only and expires 90 days after your first tap on a bus or train.
Yes, the free 90-day pass is valid for travel on Metro Express Bus Lines 460, 487, 489, 501, 550 and 577 or J Line.
You can find your local TAP vendors using your zip code or city at taptogo.net or by calling 1.866.827.8646.
Yes, unused rides may be rolled over to the following month. A TAP card can hold up to eight of the same products (the 20-ride option is considered a product), including the one currently in use. Once your card is holding eight 20-ride passes, you must either use up an existing 20-ride pass, opt to use your LIFE discount toward a monthly/weekly pass or forgo the monthly discount.
No, LIFE discounts can only be applied to one card per participant. Each family member within a household must have their own TAP card.
No, LIFE discount cannot be added at a TAP vending machine (TVM).
Yes, you must enroll in LIFE using your permanent Reduced Fare TAP card to receive the discount.
Yes, K-12 students are eligible if they are enrolled as a dependent on an eligible adult’s application. But first, be sure to check if your school is participating in GoPass, Metro’s new fareless program that offers students at participating schools a pass to ride for free.
Contact the TAP hotline at 1.866.827.8646.
When your application is approved, a free 90-day pass will automatically be loaded to your TAP card. The 90-day pass will activate once you TAP onto any LIFE participating transit systems. Additionally, you will be able to purchase fare products on LIFE participating transit systems at a reduced cost.
No, if you are unable to utilize your LIFE discount toward a discounted pass or 20-ride pass for any reason during the month, the discount is lost. Only the discount for the current month can be utilized.
Contact Us
| Contact FAME if you live in: Antelope Valley, Central Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, South Bay or Westside Cities. | Contact IILA if you live in: Gateway Cities or San Gabriel Valley. |
FAME: Mailing address: (323) 870-8567 | IILA: Mailing address: (818) 244-2550 |
