Community Corner

Metro Lowers Cost of New SmarTrip Card

The new SmarTrip card will be less expensive beginning this fall.

By Sharon McLoone

As part of an effort to move away from outdated magnetic-stripe paper farecards, Metro is reducing the price of new SmarTrip cards to $2 beginning Oct. 1.

SmarTrip card currently cost $5, but riders can get a $3 rebate if they register the card online.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under the new fare structure, the rebate program will be discontinued and riders can purchase the SmarTrip for $2 at any Metro sales office or commuter store.

At Metrorail dispensers and some CVS stores, a Metro rider can purchase a card for $10 preloaded with $8 in fare value.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The new lower price makes the cost of buying a SmarTrip card equivalent to the $2 surcharge paid by anyone who takes a roundtrip using a paper farecard,” Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles said in a statement.  “We are transitioning away from paper farecards as we prepare to introduce a new fare system, and I would encourage everyone to make the switch to the faster, more convenient and environmentally friendly SmarTrip card.”

Since July 2012, Metro has charged a $1 surcharge for each trip taken with a paper farecard as a way of encouraging riders to switch to SmarTrip. Today, SmarTrip is used for more than 90 percent of bus trips and more than 85 percent of rail trips, according to a Metro data.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here