by Los Angeles, CA – LA Metro has announced plans to resume the TAP-to-Exit program at the North Hollywood station following a temporary halt due to safety concerns raised earlier this year. The program, initially launched in May 2024, showed promising results in reducing crime but was paused after the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) expressed apprehensions about potential emergency exit bottlenecks.
The decision to restart comes amid troubling increases in crime and fare evasion since the program’s suspension, emphasizing the need for its effective reimplementation.
The Impact of the Initial TAP-to-Exit Program
The TAP-to-Exit system was designed to enhance transit safety by requiring riders to tap their fare cards upon exiting stations. During its pilot phase at North Hollywood station:
- Loitering decreased by 90%.
- Crime rates dropped by 12%.
These reductions contributed to a safer environment along the Metro’s 14 B-Line stations, with additional decreases in fights, drug use, and graffiti reported through the Transit Watch app by more than 40%.
Challenges and Suspension at Key Stations
Following the program’s expansion to Union Station in February 2025, Metro paused TAP-to-Exit in April 2025 after LAFD raised red flags about the turnstiles causing potential evacuation delays during emergencies.
Since the suspension, concerning trends have emerged:
- Crime increased by 67% at North Hollywood station.
- Crime surged by 116% at Union Station.
- Fare revenue losses totaled nearly $35,000 across both stations.
Collaborative Efforts to Resume the Program Safely
Metro has worked closely with LAFD to address the safety concerns and is preparing to restart the TAP-to-Exit program at North Hollywood. The agency plans a comprehensive communication campaign aimed at educating riders and ensuring a smooth transition back to the updated system.
“We thank Los Angeles Fire Department for their close coordination to bring this effective safety program back to the City of LA,” Metro stated. “The TAP-to-Exit program was very effective at transforming behavior along the 14 B-Line stations with reported crime and other issues (fights, drug use and graffiti) having dropped by more than 40 percent on the Transit Watch app.”
Metro is still assessing the best approach to reinstate the TAP-to-Exit system at Union Station, balancing rider safety and operational efficiency.
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The Road Ahead for Transit Safety in Los Angeles
The reinstatement of TAP-to-Exit at North Hollywood underscores LA Metro’s commitment to reducing crime and fare evasion while prioritizing passenger safety. The agency’s proactive stance and collaboration with emergency services aim to deliver both secure and efficient transit experiences.
Key takeaways:
- TAP-to-Exit is proven effective in reducing crime and loitering.
- Safety concerns about emergency evacuation have been collaboratively addressed with LAFD.
- Metro is executing a communication campaign to guide riders through the transition.
- Focus remains on expanding the program sustainably to other key stations like Union Station.
For more information on the TAP-to-Exit program and Metro’s transit safety initiatives, visit this report.
What do you think about the TAP-to-Exit program? Have you noticed changes at North Hollywood station? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments below!
