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Use it, Abuse it: How Durable is a Metro TAP Card?
Introduced in 2008, LA's Metro announced earlier this year that the TAP card would replace all paper passes in March. The switch seems to have been fairly efficient and trouble-free for Metro and its ridership, but the transit blog +metro recently wanted to take on just how sturdy the card itself was, since Metro describes the item as a "durable plastic card with an electronic chip inside that you use again and again."
Says +metro:
We decided to challenge Metro's usage of the word durable, and set forth to see just how durable these cards really were. We began by purchasing several of these "durable" smart-cards, and proceeded by placing them all in our very own experiment which we like to call, Can You TAP Me Now?
The above image they compiled shows their experiments and results. (Uh, kids, don't try this at home...especially if you want to board a Metro bus or rail line.)
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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