A Transit Assistance Program can make riding public transportation more affordable for eligible Metro Transit riders in the Twin Cities, dropping the price they pay for every ride to $1.
According to Metro Transit, over half a million metro-area residents are eligible for TAP, but only a fraction have enrolled.
“Public transit is very affordable but every penny counts, so TAP is a great program for people,” said Andrea Kiepe, Transit Assistance Program coordinator for Metro Transit.
The base adult fare on Metro Transit buses and light rail is $2, rising to $2.50 for rush hour fares; Express Bus adult fare is $2.50 and rises to $3.25 during rush hour.
Adding a TAP pass to a Go-To Card allows riders to pay $1 for any of these Metro Transit rides, complete with a 2 1/2 hour transfer. The savings are loaded on a Metro Transit Go-To Card that riders use when getting on the train or bus.
“What they use looks like any Go-To Card; nobody knows when they use it that they are getting the $1 fare,” Kiepe said.
Unlike some other programs available to lower income people, Metro Transit has designed TAP to be easy to apply for, allowing applicants to begin accessing the transit savings quickly.
“We hear about people who learn about TAP when they’re on the bus or train, look it up on their phone and have the application filled out in two minutes. Everyone in their household is ready to go and will get the savings,” Kiepe said
People can enroll online, uploading their photo ID and one of the dozens of documents that Metro Transit accepts, like an EBT card, Medical Assistance card, or affordable housing voucher. The full list of documents can be seen at metrotransit.org/TAP.
Metro Transit partners with 140 local nonprofit organizations and service agencies that also administer the program and distribute the cards.
The TAP pass provides a year-long reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card. Users can add value to the TAP pass in various ways, including by paying online with a credit card, paying by mail with a credit card or check and using cash or a credit card at a rail ticket machine or at Transit Facilities.
People can apply for TAP benefits in person at the Burnsville Transit Station, 100 Highway 13, Burnsville, the Minneapolis Metro Transit Service Center, 719 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, the St. Paul Metro Transit Service Center at US Bank Center Skyway, 101 E. 5th Street, St. Paul and the SouthWest Transit Station, 13500 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie.
“We know there are thousands of people who are qualified for TAP and could be using it every day to save money,” Kiepe said. “We want be be sure that people know this is an option that can help them stretch their budget.”