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News

Is L.A.'s Transit TAP Card Headed to Google Wallet App?

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It's one of those rumors that starts with an anonymous source sharing leaked info about a yet-to-be-released version of an app. In this case, one cool--albeit small--aspect of the unconfirmed intel is that the Google Wallet app may be adding transit cards, and the sample card used in their graphics is none other than Los Angeles County's transit TAP card. Hmmmm!!!!The item comes from an Android Police post largely focused on the Google Wallet app becoming a physical card, but a site called The Verge points to "a 'Transit Demo' screen with Los Angeles' Transit Access Pass (TAP)," which is seen in screengrabs of the rumored app upgrade.

The TAP card was introduced in L.A. back in 2008, and slowly but surely the county's transit systems have aligned to accept the card, and L.A.'s Metro system is in the process of locking the TAP-accessed fare gates at rail stations. Metro has made strides to become more tech-friendly, thanks to schedule integration with Google maps and apps across various smartphone systems that help get riders on board on time, so it's not inconceivable that TAP might be an option for the Google Wallet app.

No word yet from any transit agencies in L.A. County if there is any truth to this rumor, and, Google told The Verge they had "no comment" on the Wallet app upgrades and expansions.

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