Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 17, 2004

Metro board endorses fare increase

Metrorail and Metrobus customers will have to pay slightly more for service starting the week of June 27 as a result of the Metro Board of Directors approval of the Metro 2005 fiscal year budget. It marks only the second time in nine years that Metro’s fares have increased.

The Board today approved a 15-cent increase in the base fare for Metrorail, from $1.20 to $1.35 (12.5 percent increase), a 5-cent increase for Metrobus from $1.20 to $1.25 (4 percent increase) and a 10-cent increase from $2.40 to $2.50 for MetroAccess, starting Sunday, June 27.

Under the new fare system, a variety of fares and passes will increase.

Metrorail Fare and Pass Changes

  • Regular base boarding fare increases from $1.20 to $1.35.
  • The Metrorail maximum regular (peak) fare increases from $3.60 to $3.90.
  • Regular (peak) fares will be in effect from 2 a.m. to closing (3 a.m.)
  • The One-Day Pass increases from $6 to $6.50.

Metrobus Fare Changes

  • Regular bus base boarding fare increases from $1.20 to $1.25.
  • Express bus fare increases from $2.50 to $3.
  • Metrorail to Metrobus transfer remains the same at 35 cents.
  • Fairfax County routes are increasing from $.75 to $1.00 on 2T; 2W; 3T; 12C,D,E,F,L,M,R,S; 18R,S; 20F,W,X,Y; 24T; 28T
  • GEORGE fare increases from $.25 to $.50.
  • Rates increase from $.70 to $.75 on Anacostia routes:
    • 94, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, M8, M9, W2, W3, W6, W8, W9
    • Southbound B2, P1, P2, P6, U2, 90 at stops at or south of Good Hope Road

MetroAccess

  • Base boarding fare increases from $2.40 to $2.50.
  • MetroAccess customers who want to take a trip beyond 3/4-mile of an established Metrobus stop or Metrorail station will be charged a $1 surcharge per every three miles up to a maximum of $4 per one-way trip.
  • MetroAccess customers and their companions ride free on buses and trains for an 18-month trial period.

Parking Fees

  • Daily parking rates increase by 75 cents.
  • Monthly reserved parking permits increase from $35 to $45.
  • Daily parking fees must be paid for using a SmarTrip card only.
  • Parking payment hours will be expanded from 9 a.m. to closing on weekdays.

Elderly and Handicapped Fares

  • No Changes

Metrorail Pass Changes

  • One-Day Pass increases from $6 to $6.50.
  • Seven-Day Pass increases from $30 to $32.50.
  • Seven-Day Short Trip Pass increases from $20 to $22 and is good for trips up to $2.20.

Metrobus Pass Changes

  • No Changes.

Other Passes and Fares

  • 2-Day, 3-Day, and 4-Day passports increase from $14, $21, and $28 to $15, $22.50 and $30.
  • MARC/VRE Transit Link increase from $60 to 65.
  • Tokens increase from $1.20 to $1.25 apiece (must be purchased in packages of 10 or 20).
  • DC Student Farecards increase from $6 to $6.50.
  • DC Smart Student Passes remain the same at $22.
  • Student school tokens increase from $0.60 ($6 for 10) to $0.625 ($6.25 for 10).

News release issued on June 17, 2004.