2018 Holiday TAP Card

On November 30, 2018, Metro's Propaganda machine- The Source, wrote about the newest TAP Card- The Holiday TAP Card!  They TAP cards were suppose to be released on Monday, December 3rd.  But, I had a feeling they wouldn't be released, because the day before, Dec. 2nd., there was CicLAvia- which Metro helps runs.  So, with Metro's workforce working on Sunday,  I didn't think they would get the TAP cards in the machines.

On Monday, Dec. 3rd. I went to the Monrovia station along the Gold Line at about 11am.  None of the machines had the sticker for the Holiday TAP Card.  I called Metro to complain, and was transfered to TAP.  The operator at TAP was very nice and helpful.  He went to The Source, and found that sometime between 8am and 11am, they had released an update- that there was a delay in delivery of the  Holiday TAP Cards.

So, Tuesday, Dec. 4th, I went to the Monrovia Station and there was the sticker for the Holiday TAP Card.  I bought one, and to my shock, it came without any scratches!!  Since Metro switched to the new TAP Cards, made with a different material, there have been scratches on the TAP Cards bought at the machines.  But, I was really surprised to see this Holiday TAP Card without any scratches!  I got the 2018 Veterans Day TAP Card and 2018 LAFC TAP Card- which is the first time I noticed scratches from TAP Cards bought at the machines!

At first, I wasn't a big fan of the design.  But, after getting the TAP Card, I do like it!!

While I wasn't happy that Metro screwed up on the delivery, and could have issued a release earlier, overall I'm happy with the way Metro got almost every TAP card released in 2018, released on time!  Now, if they have solved the scratches on the TAP card, that would be great too!

2018 Veterans Day Tap Card

In 2016 Metro issued a Veterans Day TAP card.  I'm still looking for this TAP card.  If you have one, email me.

On October 26, 2018 I was at Union Station going to the Red Line when I noticed the sticker on the TAP machine for the 2018 Veterans Day TAP Card.  I put my money in, and out came the Veterans Day TAP card with a scratch!!  The new TAP card stock being used by Metro, is subjected to scratches, especially ones bought at the TAP machines.  I got a couple LAFC TAP cards with a huge scratch, made more noticeable by the black background of the card.

There was nothing on The Source- Metro's propaganda machine about the 2018 Veterans Day TAP card!! 

The design of the 2018 Veterans Day TAP card was exactly the same as the 2016 Veterans Day TAP card.  Of course, with the different year.  I wish Metro changed the design of the Veterans Day TAP card for 2018.  Anyways a nice addition to my TAP card collection.

2018 Metro Manners TAP Cards

On September 19, 2018 Metro announced on social media four new TAP cards- Metro Manners or Super Kind.  But, these TAP cards who only given to 100 people on social media.

Then on October 16, 2018 Metro announced they were having an in store give away of the Metro Manners TAP cards.  The first 100 people got a TAP card.

So, I went to the store and waited.  The Metro reps were suppose to get there at noon.  They, like many Metro trains were late, about 15-20 minutes.  They handed out the TAP cards one per person.  I was able to get the second one, by buying it off of somebody who just happened to be at the store.

I got the white- Don't Play Loud Music TAP card and the Orange TAP card-I think it's just Don't Be a Rude Dude reminder.  The other two TAP cards from this collection are the Super Kind Girl and the Don't Eat on Trains, both are white TAP cards.  

What I didn't like was that there was a Metro employee, I guess he works at the Metro tower at Union Station and he was able to get FOUR TAP cards.  How was this allowed to happen?

The three Metro reps who worked this promotion, two of them were ok. But, Anna Chen, who also writes for Metro Propaganda machine- The Source, was rude, not very friendly, and like a person behind me in line said- she looks mad.  The irony that they were handing out Metro Manners TAP cards and a Metro rep is rude and not friendly at all.

It's great that Metro is encouraging riders to have manners, but this is a stupid way.  Why not sell these TAP cards at all stations?  Or have Metro reps give out these TAP cards to people who practice good manners on trains?  They also missed giving up your seat to seniors and the disabled.

These are pretty nice designed TAP cards.  Hopefully, I will be able to get the other two.

2018 Clean Air Day TAP Card

On September 26, 2018 Metro's propaganda machine-The Source, had a story about California Clean Air Day and the TAP Card that were being sold.  I went to Metro's customer service center at Union Station, and I was able to buy this TAP card with no problems!  I was also able to just put $1.75 fare onto the TAP card, unlike the Central Ave. Jazz Festival TAP Card, where I had to put $5 of stored value on the card.  In addition, I had a very nice customer service rep when I bought the Clean Air Day TAP card, not the rude female customer service rep when I bought the Jazz Festival card!  These TAP Cards are only being sold at Metro customer service centers.  At Union Station, there is a limit of one per person!!

The Clean Air Day TAP card is a nice design. 

2018 LAFC TAP Card

On September 12, 2018 Metro's propaganda machine, The Source, announced that the first TAP Cards with a local sports team, would be sold at stations starting on September 18, 2018.  But, they would first be given out to fans going to the LAFC game on Saturday September 15, 2018.  I believe this information was given out on social media, since that linked story makes no mention of the TAP cards being given out at the game.

So, I bought tickets for the LAFC game and got this great TAP Card.  I hate soccer, but the atmosphere for a LAFC game is just awesome!  There is an entire section of die hard fans who stand throughout the entire game.  There are drums beating, and people chanting.  It's a great experience, even if you hate soccer.

The TAP cards given out at the game were suppose to have a one day fare loaded on the card.  I took the Metro back home, and I checked the balance of the TAP Card.  It showed both a one day pass and a one way pass, was loaded on the TAP Card.  Now, here is where it gets interesting.  I got to wondering, how will the fares be deducted?  When I went to the LA Rams game the next day, I asked the people at the tent, and they told me the TAP machine will know fare to take out.  Then a couple days later, I called Metro customer service, about something else, and then mentioned the same question.  They customer service reps told me when multiple passes are loaded, they will always take out the highest value fare.  Which, if true is a complete rip off!  If you take a one way fare, that would be $1.75.  But, going by what Metro's customer service told me, they would take out the day pass which cost $7!!!  If this is true somebody should file a class action lawsuit again Metro!  What a rip off!!

Anyways, back to this awesome LAFC TAP card. On Tuesday September 18th, I went to the Orange Line station, and I was able to get this LAFC TAP Card with no problem!!  This year Metro has been very good about the TAP cards being at the stations on the day stated in any write up!!  Looks like even Metro has learned it's lesson from the disaster of the 2017 Ride with Pride TAP cards!!

This TAP card is just awesome!  I love the LAFC logo! 

Update September 26, 2018: I bought a couple other LAFC TAP Cards and I've notice a few things.  The TAP cards are on a different stock than the TAP cards of the past.   On the back, there isn't that black line.  The LAFC TAP cards have some scratches on them!!  Terrible quality control on these TAP cards.  

2018 Palms Neighborhood Council TAP Card

Been looking forward to getting this Palms Neighborhood Council TAP Card, since I first found out about it.  Palms is a neighborhood along with Expo Line with it's own station-Palms Station.  Within walking distance of the station is a great pizza place, called The Coop.  Bring cash as they do not accept credit cards.

Anyways, this is the first TAP card issued to a neighborhood!!  Palms is part of the city of Los Angeles, it is not it's own city!

I really like this TAP Card!!

Still looking for the 2016 Expo to Santa Monica TAP Card.  If you have an extra one, let's work out a trade!!

2017 I Love Latino LA TAP Card

I bought the 2014, 2015, and 2016 I Love Latino LA TAP cards last year for $20 for all three.  They had the 2017 I Love Latino LA TAP card, but they were charging $20 for just that one card.  So, I declined.  Fast forward about a year.  I decided to see if I Love Latino LA were going to produce a 2018 TAP card.  I called their office and asked if they still had the 2017 TAP card.  They said yes, and it was now $10!!  So, I went over and bought the TAP card.

It's an interesting design.  I'm not a big fan of the design, but I'm always glad to add another TAP card to my collection!!