Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 16, 2010

Sales of new-rate fare passes to start June 24

New passes valid starting June 27

Metro will begin selling rail and bus passes at the new rates starting June 24, immediately following a vote on the new fares by Metro’s Board of Directors that day. The new passes will be valid June 27.

Customers will be able to purchase passes from Metro sales locations throughout the region. A list of locations can be found here.

In response to customer comments to avoid service cuts, adjustments in fares are expected to be approved by the Board instead of service cuts. The new fares and fees on Metrorail and Metrobus take effect in two phases: Phase 1 on June 27 and Phase 2 on August 1.

Phase 1 – June 27

Metrorail Fare Changes
Metrorail fares will increase by about 18 percent. The new regular base boarding fare will be $1.95. The increase in Metrorail pass prices will mirror the fare increase but will continue to save frequent riders money over an extended period.

Metrorail Passes Cost

Metrobus Fare Changes
The new fare on a regular Metrobus will be $1.50 for SmarTrip card users and $1.70 for customers paying with cash. Express Bus fares will be $3.65 for SmarTrip users and $3.85 for cash paying customers.

Metrobus Passes Cost

Phase 2 – August 1
Three new Metrorail passes will be available for use on August 1. A Weekly Short Trip Pass ($32.35), a Weekly Fast Pass ($47) and a Transit Link Card for MARC and VRE ($102), will be available for the first time.

Also starting August 1, a new 20-cent surcharge will begin during peak-of-the-peak periods (weekdays from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m.) based on the starting time of the trip. Metrorail customers will save 25 cents per trip if they use a SmarTrip card instead of a paper farecard

News release issued at 2:11 pm, June 16, 2010.