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SmarTrip Card Improvements Begin September 1
Metro continues to encourage transit users to steer away from costly paper fare cards and plans to implement a few more dynamic measures to ensure more users make the switch to the electronic SmarTrip® card. Each of the changes below make purchasing and using a SmarTrip® card easier than ever. All items listed go into effect on September 1.
* Purchasing a SmarTrip® card is now more affordable! All purchasers buying cards after September 1 will receive a $3 rebate after registering the card online, effectively lowering the cost of the card from $5 to $2. Registering protects your card’s balance in case it gets lost, allows you to see usage history and allows you to add value and view remaining balances.
* Never be low on funds again! Auto-reload is a new option that will automatically load value onto your card whenever the balance drops below a rider’s designated amount. Riders will be able to link their cards to a credit or debit card and the value will be automatically pulled from that account.
* Purchase cards at any station! Metro plans to have SmarTrip® card dispenser machines in every Metrorail station. They began installing the vending machines in July, starting with the top 10 stations where paper fare cards were sold. All machines will be in place in every rail station by September.
Please note that also beginning Sept. 1, riders will need a minimum of $1.20 on a SmarTrip® card to enter the Metrorail system. For riders using a senior/disabled SmarTrip® card, the minimum will be 35 cents.
Along with the fare increases that began on July 1, Metro also implemented a $1 surcharge for all trips paid for with paper fare cards. In addition, Metro now allows transfers of up to $20 from paper fare cards to SmarTrip® cards and customers can also load one-day rail passes and the new 28-day rail pass onto SmarTrip® cards for added convenience. All of these changes will help encourage greater use of SmarTrip® cards.
For additional information, please visit
wmata.com.
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