LOS ANGELES (CNS) – After waiving fees for more than two weeks as a result of fire emergencies, LA Metro has announced it will resume collecting fares Monday across its bus and rail systems.
“We hope the free rides the past 2+ weeks helped you make essential trips during the fires,” Metro noted on social media.
L.A. County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn, who is chair of Metro’s Board of Directors, implemented no-fare collection as a result of multiple fires that broke out Jan. 7. Thousands of residents in the Palisades, Altadena and areas around the city of Los Angeles had to evacuate and were displaced from their homes.
On Thursday, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to expand its LIFE program, an initiative to offer free and reduced-fare service for qualifying individuals.
The agency is expected to modify the eligibility of the program for at least six months. County residents displaced by the fires who enroll will receive 20 free rides every month or a discounted pass on another participating transit agency.
Metro staff will conduct outreach and ensure displaced residents, as well as Metro employees, can sign up for the reduced-fare program. Employees will be on hand with applications and pre-loaded TAP cards at resource centers throughout Los Angeles County, such as the following sites:
— Staff will be at UCLA Research Park West, at 10850 W. Pico Blvd., until Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and
— Staff will be at Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Headquarters, located at 393 E. Walnut St., from Monday until Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fire survivors can submit an online application and receive a 30-day digital pass and have a pre-loaded TAP card mailed to them. More information is available at metro.net/fireresponse/.
The transit agency will also look at ways to help in the recovery efforts. It may consider ways to use its fleet, services, expertise and properties to help those in need. Metro will explore financial support for their employees impacted by the fires as well.
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