Pasadena Arts and Dial-A-Ride Accept Tap Cards

Public transit commuters can use TAP cards to ride Pasadena ARTS (Area Rapid Transit System) and Dial-A-Ride buses starting Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 when Pasadena’s Department of Transportation unveils new TAP validators on all ARTS and Dial-A-Ride buses.

Riders who use TAP cards loaded with a Stored Value or EZ transit pass and riders who use Access Rider ID TAP cards can simply tap their cards at the validators upon boarding Pasadena’s ARTS buses.

For Dial-a-Ride buses, members can use TAP cards loaded with a Stored Value.

The fareboxes will still be available, but many passengers feel TAP is a faster, more efficient way to pay. Using the validators will reduce passenger boarding time because riders don’t have to pull out dollars or coins to feed the fareboxes.

ARTS riders transferring to other transit operators will still need to use cash to purchase an interagency transfer from ARTS bus drivers. ARTS riders transferring between ARTS buses should continue requesting free paper transfers from ARTS bus drivers, according to City transportation officials.

Pasadena ARTS and Dial-A-Ride will join 12 other transit providers in Los Angeles County that use TAP, including all of the other transit providers operating in Pasadena. The other transit providers servicing Pasadena that also use TAP are Metro (buses and Gold Line), Foothill Transit and LADOT.

Commuters can purchase TAP cards online at taptogo.net, by phone at (866) TAPTOGO, (866) 827-8646, or in person at TAP sales locations, including any of the six Metro Rail stations in Pasadena.

To learn about using TAP on Pasadena ARTS and Dial-A-Ride buses, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/Transportation/TAP.aspx.

For questions, contact Mark Yamarone at (626) 744-7474 or myamarone@cityofpasadena.net.

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