Fare Capping Is Coming
January 1, 2026
The Santa Clarita Transit Team is hosting a Fare Capping info table at the McBean Regional Transit Center on December 8, 2025 from 2:00–4:30pm. Stop by, say hello, ask questions, and learn how Fare Capping will help you save starting next year!
What Is Fare Capping?
Fare capping is a new way to pay your fare that ensures you never overpay — you simply pay per ride, and once you’ve spent up to a set “cap” amount for the day or week, any additional rides are FREE!
Instead of buying local daily or monthly passes in advance, you use Stored Value on your TAP card or TAP app, or purchase Single Ride Passes on the Token Transit app, and your rides accumulate toward a 1-Day cap and a 7-Day cap. Once you hit one of those limits, you ride free for the rest of that period!
This makes fare payment easy as there is no upfront cost for a pass, and frequent riders can benefit the most!
How Does Fare Capping Work?
- To benefit from fare capping, you must use your TAP card, TAP app, or Token Transit App.
- Tap or flash your pass every time you board a local route so your rides count towards the cap.
- Each tap deducts from your Stored Value — until you reach the 1-Day cap or 7-Day cap.
- After reaching a cap, any further rides in that period will be free.
- The 7-Day cap starts on your first tap in a new 7-day window, so the start is flexible (not tied to a particular weekday). This means if you begin riding mid-week, your “week” will start then.
- You don’t need to sign up for anything special — just use your TAP card, TAP app or Token Transit app as usual, and you’ll automatically be enrolled.
Why Are We Doing This?
- Saves Money: You only pay for the rides you take, up to the cap. Once you hit the limit, you ride free — that’s essentially getting “unlimited” rides for that day or week, without paying for a full pass in advance!
- Fairness: This system is more equitable because riders who may not ride enough to justify a pass still get the benefit of not overpaying.
- Simplicity: No need to estimate how many rides you’ll take. Just load your card and ride!
- Flexibility: The 7-day cap is flexible; it begins when you start tapping, not on a fixed weekday.
How to Earn Your Fare Caps
- Get a TAP card / Download Mobile TAP app or Token Transit app
- Load Stored Value onto TAP card or app — you only pay when you ride.
- Purchase a Single Local ride pass on the Token Transit app — once you activate the max cap of passes, you ride free.
- Tap or Flash Every Time You Ride
- When boarding, tap your card (or phone) on the validator farebox. If using Token Transit, flash your pass to the driver.
- The display will show how much Stored Value is being deducted, or if your ride is now free (after reaching a cap).
- Track Your Progress
- You can check your fare capping progress online via the TAP Card Status Page or in your TAP account online or in the TAP mobile app. You can also check your fare capping status in person at any TAP vendor location or at the fare box when boarding. If using Token Transit for your fare capping progress, tracking is also available in the Token Transit app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need to sign up or register to use fare capping?
A: No. As long as you have a TAP card, the TAP app, or the Token Transit app and you tap/flash every time you ride, you will automatically earn fare capping benefits.
Q: Can I use cash and still benefit from fare capping?
A: No —Cash payments do not count toward the cap.
Q: What are the cap amounts?
A: The 1-Day cap amount is $3 and the 7-Day cap amount is $10.
Q: When does the 7-day cap period start?
A: It begins on your first tap in a 7-day window. It’s flexible — not tied to a fixed day.
Q: What happens once I hit a cap?
A: After you’ve reached the 1-Day or 7-Day cap, any additional rides during that time period are free, as long as you continue to tap with the same TAP card, TAP app, or Token Transit app.
Q: How do I track my progress at the fare box?
A: Hit the grey button on the fare box which will show the following information: “[dollar amount] to spend – [Date]”. The dollar amount is how much you need to spend to earn fare capping for the day and week. The date is the date your 7-day period will end.
Q: What if I’m a reduced-fare rider?
A: Reduced-fare riders will continue to receive free service on local routes.
Q: Will daily/monthly passes still be sold?
A: No, these will no longer be sold for LOCAL routes. Fare capping is only available on Local routes, so commuter monthly passes will remain.
Q: What if I don’t use the same card or account each time?
A: For fare capping to work correctly, you need to use the same fare card or account every time. If you switch cards or accounts, your spend toward the cap will not transfer, and you may be charged again.
Q: Will fare capping be available on all Santa Clarita Transit vehicles and services?
A: No, fare capping is only available on Local Santa Clarita Transit routes. If you transfer to another transit agency, your fare cap pauses until you re-board a Local Santa Clarita route. Fare capping does not apply to Santa Clarita Transit commuter routes, GO! Santa Clarita, Dial-A-Ride or Access services.
Tips for Riders
- Start using Stored Value early. If you’re still paying cash, consider transitioning to a TAP card, TAP app or Token Transit app before January 1, 2026 — that way you can begin accumulating toward caps immediately.
- Tap every time. Even if a ride becomes “free” after you hit the cap, continue tapping so the system recognizes and applies your cap correctly.
- Monitor your balance. Regularly checking your fare-card account helps you see how close you are to a cap and manage your Stored Value.
- Plan for frequent riding. If you ride often, fare capping may end up saving you more than buying a traditional pass.
- Stick to one payment method. Fare capping is available with either TAP or Token Transit. Progress does not transfer between the two ecosystems, so use only one option consistently to reach your fare caps.
- Brochure: Outside Inside
