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EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to recent COVID-19 surge, all in-person LIFE program enrollment events in January have been cancelled.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will hold several pop-up events in January to continue to enroll low-income riders in its Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) discount fare program before fare collection resumes on Metro buses on January 10, 2022. The agency will also raise rider awareness for its other deeply discounted passes at these enrollment events.
Metro has simplified the LIFE application for riders to make it much easier to complete. Riders just need to provide basic information about themselves and any household members applying for the discount. A photo of an ID may be uploaded using a smartphone as part of any application, and applicants without proof of income are now able to self-certify their income during the application process. Riders interested in signing up for the program should attend one of the following pop-up enrollment events:
Pop-Up Enrollment Events
- Tuesday, January 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Hollywood Station, B, G lines (Red/Orange), mezzanine level, 5931 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.
- Thursday, January 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 7th St/Metro Center, A, B, D, E lines, 660 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017.
- Friday, January 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Norwalk Station, C Line (Green), 12901 Hoxie Avenue, Norwalk, CA 90650.
- Monday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Union Station East Portal, B, D, L Lines (Red, Purple, Gold), 811 N. Vignes St. Los Angeles, CA 90012.
- Wednesday, January 12 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Azusa Station L Line (Gold), 801 N. Alameda Avenue, Azusa, CA 91762.
- Wednesday, January 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Van Nuys Station G Line (Orange), 6060 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401.
- Saturday, January 22 from 10 to 3 p.m., Downtown Santa Monica Station, E Line (Expo), 402 Colorado Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401.
- Wednesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. J Line (Silver), Pacific St./7th St. San Pedro, CA 90731.
Deeply Discounted Fares
To provide financial relief to as many of its transit customers as possible, half-price passes are on sale now to transit riders and will be available through July 2022 as a promotional fare.
With the discount, pass fares are:
- $3.50 for a Day Pass
- $12.50 for a Weekly Pass
- $50 for a 30-Day Pass
Low-Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) Program
There will be even greater discounts for low-income riders who are eligible to enroll in the LIFE program. See metroexemplifi.wpengine.com/life for information on eligibility. Through July 2022, Metro will be offering steeply discounted passes as follows:
- $26 for a 30-day pass that normally costs $76 (a $50 savings).
- $6.50 for a 7-Day pass that normally costs $19.50 (a $13 savings).
Additionally, newly enrolled LIFE participants will get 90 days of free rides starting January 10, 2022, when fare collection restarts. Metro encourages all riders who are qualified but not yet signed up to act now and take full advantage of this program. Discounts translate to less than a dollar a day for unlimited rides on the Metro Bus and Rail System. After the 90 days of free rides expire, customers can purchase discounted LIFE fares. Riders without a TAP card can now request one on the LIFE application for themselves and each member of their household.
Until January 10, LIFE riders can still take advantage of LIFE’s discounts on Metro and 12 other participating bus agencies in L.A. County.
Riders can submit their LIFE applications to Metro in the following ways:
Email: Riders who live in the Antelope Valley, Central Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, South Bay or Westside Cities can email their applications to lifeinfo@famecorporations.org. Riders who live in the Gateway Cities or San Gabriel Valley can email their applications to lifeinfo@iilosangeles.org.
Metro Customer Centers: Riders can also get and fill out LIFE applications at any Metro Customer Care Center in Los Angeles County. Click here for a complete list of Customer Center locations. Applications can also be handed in at the Big Blue Bus’s “Blue: The Transit Store” in Santa Monica.
Submit online: Riders can apply online at metroexemplifi.wpengine.com/life or www.taptogo.net/life. Riders can click on the “Apply Now” button or link and complete a simple four-step process to complete their online applications. The application, available in English and Spanish, is optimized for mobile devices and will allow users to easily upload any needed identification documents.
In March 2020, Metro relaxed its rule requiring bus riders to use the farebox or TAP validator at the front of the bus as part of its switch to rear-door boardings to help ensure COVID-19-related social distancing between riders and operators. Selected Metro Rail lines such as the B (Red) and D (Purple) Lines, among others, have consistently required fare gate payments via TAP card throughout the pandemic.
Metro reminds all riders that face masks are required on public transit as per federal law.
To obtain more information about all of Metro’s available discounted fare programs, please visit metroexemplifi.wpengine.com/fares.
Editor’s Note: Metro Operators are crucial to keeping LA moving. Metro is currently hiring more than 500 bus operators and is offering a $3,000 bonus for coming aboard. This is a great career opportunity. Metro offers competitive hourly rates starting at $17.75 for a 30-hour job as bus operators with benefits that include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options and flexible working hours. Please encourage friends, family and community members to become a part of the Metro team that provides excellence in service and support and keeps our region moving. Apply at metro.net/driveLA.
About Metro The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
