Freshly posted to the Big Blue Bus website:

TAP is coming to Santa Monica Big Blue Bus!

Starting March 2015, you can pay with Stored Value, an EZ transit pass on your TAP card or with your Access ID card. You no longer need to show your card to the bus operator. Instead, tap your card on the validator as you board the bus. For fast and convenient boarding: Tap your card on the validator.

Look for the green screen that shows your card is valid.

Board the bus and enjoy the ride. TAP is a durable plastic card that can be used again and again for faster, safer boarding. Load your TAP card ahead of time for seamless travel throughout LA County. Keep visiting us for future updates or sign up for email alerts at BigBlueBus.com/emailalerts and select “Rider Updates.”

This is a big deal because the Big Blue Bus, while based in Santa Monica, is one of the larger muni bus lines in Los Angeles County. The Big Blue Bus also provides service well beyond Santa Monica’s borders to important destinations, including downtown Santa Monica, the beach, LAX and UCLA, among others. Here’s the route map (click on it to see larger version).

TAP cards are available for $1 from ticket machines at all Metro Rail stations and Metro Orange Line stations. TAP cards can also be purchased from vendors across Los Angeles County, online at the taptogo.net website or by phone at 866.TAPTOGO (827-8646).

Answer to a question I know many will ask: stored value purchased from Metro (at our ticket machines, taptogo.net, by phone or from a Metro vendor) can be used to pay fares on the Big Blue Bus in March and all agencies that participate in TAP.

At this time, that list includes Antelope Valley Transit, Culver City Bus, Foothill Transit, Gardena, LADOT DASH and Commuter Express buses, Long Beach Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Monterey Park, Norwalk Transit, Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority, Pasadena ARTS bus, Santa Clarita Transit, Torrance Transit (Line 4 only)

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