Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 8, 2008

Metro to offer free rides to bus passengers affected by farebox error

Metro will offer free rides to bus passengers next Sunday and part of the day Monday to make up for thousands of SmarTrip paying riders who were overcharged because of a farebox programming error.

A total of about 23,000 riders paying with a SmarTrip card who transferred to multiple buses or the rail system were inadvertently charged the full fare for each trip instead of a free or discounted fare on Sunday and part of Monday. Riders can board other buses for free within a two-hour window, and pay a reduced 35 cent fare when transferring from the rail system to the bus.

The fareboxes were reprogrammed on most buses by Monday afternoon and completely fixed Tuesday morning.

“We apologize for the inconvenience, and to make up for it riders who show bus operators their SmarTrip cards Sunday, January 13, and Monday, January 14, until noon will receive a free bus ride,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “Considering the complexity of implementing a fare increase, this has been a minor glitch. Overall, it’s been a smooth implementation.”

Passengers should not tap their cards on the farebox during this refund period.

Metro officials estimate the free rides will cost the transit agency about $30,000.

News release issued at 12:00 am, January 8, 2008.