Big Blue Bus No Longer Takes Cash, Tokens Starting Monday

SANTA MONICA, CA — Heads up! Leave your loose change at home.

Beginning Monday, July 12, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus will no longer accept cash and tokens as onboard fares, as part of a pilot program for contactless boarding.

Customers must pay fares with TAP or mobile tickets, city officials said in a reminder to locals.

The pilot program will study the contactless-payment effectiveness, along with possible enhanced bus safety, faster boarding times and convenience of the new system, management said.

TAP offers "smart and secure" reusable cards that works as transit passes. that can be loaded with a BBB pass or Stored Value (valid on any of the 26 TAP-participating transit agencies) for travel throughout the Westside and Los Angeles County.

Mobile tickets can be purchased through Transit (BBB's official app), Token Transit, and other third-party apps available for iOS and Android smartphones. BBB Single Rides and passes can be purchased in the Transit app for immediate use or stored for future trips.

To aid riders during the transition, Blue: The Transit Store, at 1444 4th St. in Santa Monica, increased operating hours to Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every other Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To encourage the shift to contactless payments, Big Blue Bus is offering a free 30-day pass and discounted single rides to customers who pay their fares with a TAP card or mobile ticket. Customers may redeem one, free BBB 30-day pass during the promotional period through Thursday, July 22.

BBB also will maintain its single-ride discounts for TAP and mobile ticket users during the pilot. Regular customers pay $1 per trip, while senior/disabled/Medicare customers pay 40 cents per trip. To access the free 30-day pass and for more details, visit link here.

Those unfamiliar with TAP or mobile tickets can schedule an appointment at Blue: The Transit Store for in-person assistance with the new contactless payments.

"During your appointment, we’ll explain how contactless payments work, and you get on your way without cash," officials said.

To make an appointment at either City Hall, 1685 Main St., or the GoSaMo Center, 1444 4th St., follow this link, or call (310) 451-5444.

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