Metro introduced $5 daily and $18 seven-day fare caps in July 2023
LA Metro began fare capping on July 1, 2023. Riders using TAP paid per ride until reaching a $5 daily or $18 seven-day limit, after which additional Metro rides in that period cost nothing. The policy replaced the need to buy those passes up front.
Period covered: 2023-07-01
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Pay as rides happen
LA Metro’s fare caps took effect July 1, 2023, after a board approval the previous December. Riders using a TAP card pay per ride until the total reaches $5 in a day or $18 in seven days; further Metro rides in that period are free. The policy replaced Metro’s one-day and seven-day passes. [1]
Before the change, Metro said riders could reduce the per-ride cost by buying weekly or monthly passes in advance, which required a larger payment up front. With fare capping, riders load stored value and pay as they travel. That payment timing can matter to households with little cash available at once, even when a pass might have offered a lower average cost. [1]
Original arithmetic illustration of Metro’s July 2023 fare policy. Three $1.75 fares total $5.25 before capping; qualifying free transfers do not count as another full-fare ride.
How the daily cap works
Arithmetic example: Three separate, non-transfer rides at the regular $1.75 fare would total $5.25 before the daily cap. With the cap, the final charge for those Metro rides is limited to $5. [1]
Metro’s 2023 announcement listed a $1.75 regular fare and free one-way transfers within two hours when using TAP. Its current fare page continues to list those terms, along with the $5 daily and $18 seven-day caps. A qualifying transfer is not another separate full-fare ride in the arithmetic example. [1] [2]
Discounted fares and LIFE
The 2023 announcement listed separate caps for discounted riders: $2.50 daily and $6 over seven days for students, and $2.50 daily and $5 over seven days for seniors and riders with disabilities. Metro also said GoPass riders would not be affected by the new policy. These figures describe Metro fares; they do not set prices or caps for every transit operator. [1]
Metro’s 2023 announcement described LIFE as offering 20 free rides a month, followed by stored-value fares toward Metro’s caps. The current LIFE page clarifies that 20 rides means 20 individual boardings and that free two-hour transfers do not count against the allotment. LIFE also offers discounted passes for other participating agencies, a distinct benefit from Metro’s general fare caps. [1] [3]
Sources & further reading
- L.A. METRO HELPS RIDERS SAVE MONEY, IMPROVES TRANSIT FLEXIBILITY WITH NEW FARE POLICY EFFECTIVE JULY 1LA Metro · 2023-06-21
- Ride MetroLA Metro · Undated; checked October 28, 2026
- Get 20 Free Rides Every MonthLA Metro · Undated; checked October 28, 2026
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