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Sometimes reading the fine print does prevent misunderstandings down the line, but this one just seems kind of sneaky: Metro's TAP fare cards actually expire 3 years after they are activated. Transit blogger (for Metro!) Fred Camino learned this the hard way, as he explains on The Source.
According section 9 of the TAP Cardholder Agreement (which you agree to upon first use of the card):9. CARD EXPIRATION
Each Card will expire approximately three (3) years after its date of issuance, except for Personalized Cards which will expire based on Cardholder’s period of verified eligibility.
Plus, if you've left any money on the expired card, not only can you not get it, but Metro takes a buck of it every month as an "administrative fee."
If you have an old card, there's really no way to make it new again--you'll just have to buy yourself a new one, for $2.
If you catch your current card before it expires, you can put a call into 1.866.TAPTOGO to have the cash or passes transferred to your new one. The Source explains how to figure out when your TAP card expires:
You can register your card at taptogo.net (watch this tutorial on how to do just that) and you can find the expiration date of your card in the “My Cards” section of the website. Alternatively you can check the expiration date at a Ticket Vending Machine (“View TAP status”) or by calling 1.866.TAPTOGO.
In case you're feeling abusive, here's a reminder of all the different tortures you can put your card through and still have it work. Well, unless it expires.
