Proof-of-payment (POP) or proof-of-fare (POF) is an honor -based fare collection system used on many public transportation systems. Instead of checking each passenger as they enter a fare control zone, passengers are required to carry a paper ticket , transit pass, transit smartcard — or open payment methods such as contactless credit or debit cards (if applicable) — after swiping or tapping on smart card readers, to prove that they have paid the valid fare. Fares are enforced via random spot-checks by inspectors such as conductors or enforcement officers, to ensure that passengers have paid their fares and are not committing fare evasion . On many systems, a passenger can purchase a single-use ticket or multi-use pass at any time in advance, but must insert the ticket or pass into a validation machine immediately before use. Validation machines in stations or on board vehicles time stamp the ticket. The ticket is then valid for some period of time after the stamped time.
37-590: The Los Angeles Metro Rail is an urban rail transit system serving Los Angeles County, California , United States, consisting of six lines: four light rail lines (the A , C , E and K lines) and two rapid transit lines (the B and D lines), serving a total of 102 stations . The system connects with the Metro Busway bus rapid transit system (the G and J lines), the Metrolink commuter rail system, as well as several Amtrak lines. Metro Rail
74-491: A mezzanine level for fare sales and collection above a platform level where passengers board trains. Underground stations and tunnels are designed to resist ground shaking that could occur at a specific location. There is no general magnitude of an earthquake that the entire system is expected to withstand. However, the Metro Rail system has not suffered any damage from earthquakes since its opening in 1990. Metro Rail uses
111-543: A proof-of-payment fare system, with Metro's fare inspectors randomly inspecting trains and stations to ensure passengers have a valid fare product on their Transit Access Pass (TAP) electronic fare card. When passengers enter a station, they encounter TAP card validators which collect fares when a customer places their card on top. Additionally, fare gates ( turnstiles ) connected to TAP card validators are at all underground stations, all elevated stations, and some surface stations. Once passengers pass these validators or board
148-563: A daily or weekly unlimited pass, automatically ensuring that all passengers pay the lowest fare possible. Due to this, passengers will never pay more than $ 5 (3 rides) in a day or $ 18 (11 rides) within seven days; rides are free once the cap is reached. Discounted or free fares are available for seniors, disabled individuals, Medicare recipients, low-income individuals, and students. The following table shows Metro fares, effective July 1, 2023 (in US dollars): College Vocational Metro has implemented
185-589: A letter-based scheme, similar to those in New York City. Metro recommended the opening of the refurbished A Line in 2019 as a starting point to rename the lines, and then continuing with the opening of the K line, finishing in time for the opening of the Regional Connector in 2023. The following rail projects have been given high priority by Metro. They all appear in the 2009 LRTP constrained plan, and all have funding earmarked from Measure R. With
222-738: A mix of environments, including at-grade in an exclusive corridor , street running , elevated , and underground . The two rapid transit (subway) lines (B and D) share tracks between Union Station and Wilshire/Vermont , while two of the light rail lines (A and E) share tracks between Pico and Little Tokyo/Arts District . The Los Angeles Metro Rail system consists of 102 stations. The light rail stations are either at ground level or elevated, with some trenched or fully underground. All rapid transit stations are fully underground. Stations include at least two ticket vending machines , wayfinding maps, electronic message displays, and bench seating. Call boxes are available at stations to allow employees at
259-445: A more direct collection approach where this would be feasible—a transit authority using POP will usually post fare inspectors, sometimes armed as a police force, to man entrances to stations on a discretionary basis when a high volume of passengers is expected. For example, transit users leaving a stadium after a major concert or sporting event will likely have to buy a ticket from an attendant (or show proof of payment) to gain access to
296-482: A more direct collection method. It may be used in systems whose passenger volume and density are not very high most of the time—as passenger volumes increase, more-direct collection methods become more profitable. However, in some countries it is common even on systems with very high passenger volume. Proof-of-payment is usually applied on one-person operated rail and road vehicles as well as on automatically operated rail lines. The honor system can be complemented with
333-426: A more open feel for passengers. On buses, proof-of-payment saves drivers the time needed to collect fares, and makes it possible for all doors to be used for boarding. Validated tickets can double as transfers between lines. Collecting fares outside a bus "offers the greatest potential for reducing dwell time ." Disadvantages include higher rates of fare evasion, reduced security on station platforms when no barrier
370-565: A physical rail corridor, as it does in New York City Subway nomenclature .) Metro also uses the same line letter naming system for its Metro Busway services (which are bus rapid transit routes operating in transitways). Six Metro Rail lines operate in Los Angeles County: The B and D lines follow a fully underground route, and the C Line follows a fully grade-separated route. The A, E, and K lines run in
407-466: A reloadable TAP Card. In addition, in 2008 Metro began installing fare gates at all underground stations, all elevated stations, and some surface stations. Implementation of both programs (the TAP Card and the fare gate program) has turned out to be expensive ($ 154 million in total, so far) and its initial rollout was problematic. In 2023, the Metro Rail system had a ridership of 61,981,300. As of
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#1732790792866444-488: A system of electronic fare collection using a stored-value smartcard called the Transit Access Pass (TAP Card). This card was intended to simplify fare collection and reduce costs. In 2012, paper monthly passes were phased out and replaced with the TAP Card. As of September 2013, first-time Metro riders must deposit an additional $ 2 (or $ 1 at TAP vending machines) on top of their first fare payment to obtain
481-611: A train, they have entered the "fare paid zone", where fare inspectors may check their TAP card to ensure they have a valid fare. Passengers who fail to comply may be penalized and removed from the system. Metro Rail maintains two distinct systems of rail: a light rail system and a rapid transit (subway) system, which use incompatible technologies, even though they both use 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,435 mm ) standard gauge and use 750 V power. Metro's rapid transit lines are powered by third rail , whereas its light rail lines are powered by overhead catenary . Also,
518-499: Is monitored by security personnel through closed-circuit television cameras. Metro Ambassadors are an in-house outreach team to provide a better user experience. They help riders navigate and provide information about the system. In June 2024, the Metro Executive Board voted 10-0 to create their own transit police force. A cited reason included frustration with a lack of control over the existing contracts. This force
555-547: Is owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Los Angeles Metro Rail has been extended significantly since it started service in 1990, and several further extensions are either in the works or being considered. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 61,981,300 or about 208,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. Los Angeles had two previous rail transit systems,
592-443: Is planned to consist of officers, crisis workers , and homelessness outreach teams. In the early 20th century, Southern California had an extensive privately owned rail transit network with over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of track, operated by Pacific Electric (Red Cars) and Los Angeles Railway (Yellow Cars). However, from 1927 revenue shortfall caused Pacific Electric to begin replacing lightly used rail lines with buses. In 1958
629-844: Is popular in Germany, where it was widely introduced during the labor shortages resulting from the Economic Miracle of the 1960s. It has also been adopted in Eastern Europe and Canada and has made some inroads in newer systems in the United States. The first use of the term "POP" or "Proof of Payment" on a rail line in North America is believed to have been in Edmonton in 1980. Since then, many new light rail , streetcar , and bus rapid transit systems have adopted
666-581: Is the second-busiest in the United States with 141,000 average weekday boardings as of the third quarter of 2024. In terms of route length, Metro's light rail system is the largest in the United States . Half of the Metro Rail's trains and stations are patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department under a law enforcement contract. The Los Angeles Police Department and Long Beach Police Department patrol stations within their respective cities, also under contract. The system
703-435: Is used, increased potential of racial profiling and other unequal enforcement as "likely fare evaders" are targeted, and regularly exposing passengers to unpleasant confrontational situations when a rider without the proper proof is detained and removed from the vehicle. Visitors unfamiliar with a system's validation requirements who innocently misunderstand the rules are especially likely to get into trouble. Proof-of-payment
740-630: The COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, service operated until approximately 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays but was removed to accommodate train cleaning. Trains operate more frequently during weekday peak hours and less at other times. During peak hours, the light rail A and E lines run every 8 minutes and the light rail C and K lines run every 10 minutes. The light rail lines operate on 10-minute headways during off-peak periods and weekends. The B and D rapid transit lines operate every 12 minutes throughout
777-530: The Pacific Electric Red Car and Los Angeles Railway Yellow Car lines, which operated between the late 19th century and the 1960s. The Metro Rail system uses many of their former rights of way , and thus can be considered their indirect successor. In Los Angeles Metro terminology, common with most other metro systems, a line is a named service, defined by a route and set of stations served by trains on that route. (The word does not refer to
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#1732790792866814-466: The LRTP. On November 6, 2012, Metro attempted to pass Measure J, but failed as it did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass. In November 2016 election, Metro decided to place another sales tax on the ballot. The voters then approved Measure M , a half-cent permanent sales tax increase to fund many local projects, including Metro Rail expansion. In 2018, Metro approved renaming its rail lines using
851-627: The Metro Rail Operations Control Center to assist passengers with concerns. Unique artwork is integrated into every station, showcasing local culture and improving the aesthetic of the system. Street-level stations are typically simpler with platforms designed with shade canopies, separated from nearby roads and sidewalks, where passengers can purchase fares and board a train. Free or paid park and ride lots are available at 44 stations and most have bike storage available. Underground stations are typically larger with
888-514: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 249419824 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:46:32 GMT Proof-of-payment This method is implemented when the transit authority believes it will lose less money to the resultant fare evasion than it would cost to install and maintain
925-467: The day. During early morning and late night hours, train frequency on all Metro Rail lines is reduced to every 20 minutes. Metro plans to increase train frequencies, proposing to further reduce headways on the B, C, D, and K lines by 2025. The standard Metro base fare applies for all trips. Fare collection is based on a partial proof-of-payment system. At least two fare machines are at each station. Fare inspectors, local police, and deputy sheriffs police
962-429: The increase in rents, and a shortage of housing . Ridership declines also coincide with passage of AB 60, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2013, which provides for issuance of a vehicle operators license regardless of immigration status. The fiscal changes are the passage of Measure R , a countywide incremental sales tax increase passed by voters in 2008, providing funding for many of the highest priority projects in
999-496: The last Long Range Transportation Plan, indicating some possibility they could be constructed should additional funding materialize. Others have been the subject of Metro Board discussion, with the possibility of future feasibility studies. (More information on each project can be found in the references.) Other transit in the United States: Urban rail transit Too Many Requests If you report this error to
1036-450: The opening of the Metro Rail, Proposition U passed, which halved the allowable residential density throughout much of Los Angeles. This reduced the viability of the Metro Rail by limiting dense residential housing near transit stations. Before 2000, none of the land near the stations was converted to residential use. Metro has worked to plan and prioritize project funding and implementation. Metro's 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
1073-548: The passage of Measure M in 2016, Metro released an updated Long Range Transportation plan in February 2017, and released a full report in 2020, along with its Twenty-eight by '28 initiative. Metro's Long Range Transportation Plan was published in 2009, and was updated in 2020. The following proposed line/system expansions do not have funding or high priority in Metro's long-range plans. Some are listed as "strategic unfunded" in
1110-492: The price of gasoline led to calls for mass transit other than buses. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA, now branded as Metro) began construction of the initial lines throughout the 1980s using revenues from a voter-approved increase in sales tax. The Blue (A) Line opened on July 14, 1990, 27 years after the final streetcar line closed. The system has been progressively expanded since. The following table shows this expansion's timeline: Just before
1147-479: The procedure, mainly to speed up boarding by avoiding the hassles of crowding at doors to pay fares at a farebox beside the driver as is common practice on traditional buses . TriMet in Portland, Oregon was the first large transit agency to adopt proof of payment on its bus system, from September 1982 to April 1984. It was discontinued after finding that fare evasion and vandalism increased and little productivity
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1184-578: The remnants of the privately owned rail and bus systems were consolidated into a government agency known as the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority or MTA. By 1963, the remaining rail lines were completely removed and replaced with bus service. In the following decades, growing traffic congestion led to increased public support for rail transit's return. Beginning in the 1970s, a variety of factors, including environmental concerns, an increasing population, and
1221-647: The station serving the stadium. Direct fare collection methods may also be used at major hubs in systems that otherwise use POP. An example of this is the Tower City station on Cleveland 's RTA Rapid Transit Red Line , which uses faregates . Travel without a valid ticket is not usually a criminal offense, but a penalty fare or a fine can be charged. Advantages of proof-of-payment include lower labor costs for fare collection, simpler station design, easier access for mobility-impaired passengers, easier access for those carrying packages or in case of an emergency, and
1258-461: The system and cite individuals without proof of payment. Passengers are required to purchase a TAP card to ride Metro Rail. Passengers using a TAP card can transfer between Metro routes for free within 2 hours from the first tap. Metro introduced daily and weekly fare caps in July 2023, replacing daily, weekly, and monthly passes. With fare capping, the cost of each trip is credited towards the cost of
1295-401: The third quarter of 2024, the combined Metro B and D lines averaged a weekday ridership of 67,300, making it the ninth busiest rapid transit system in the United States. Taking overall track length into consideration, Metro Rail's rapid transit lines transport 7,960 passengers per route mile, making this the fifth busiest U.S. rapid transit system on a per mile basis. Metro's light rail system
1332-416: The two separate systems have different loading gauge , and platforms are designed to match the separate car widths. The Los Angeles Metro Rail system runs for about 19 hours each day between 5:00 am and 11:45 pm. Limited service on particular segments is provided after midnight and before 5:00 am. There is no rail service between 2:00 am and 3:30 am, except on special occasions such as New Year's Eve. Before
1369-471: Was developed to provide a long-term vision of transportation system development for the next 30 years. Metro worked to update the 2009 LRTP citing new housing trends and fiscal changes. Metro released the updated LRTP in 2020. Beginning in 2014, Metro saw its ridership numbers begin to decline. Many explanations exist for the decline, including safety concerns, an increase in ride-hailing service usage, low-income housing opportunities drying up in L.A. because of
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