Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 28, 2011
SmarTrip® cards now on sale at George Washington University Bookstore
Area universities bring SmarTrip® convenience to campuses
Metro is making it easier for area university students to take advantage of SmarTrip® convenience and savings with cards now being sold at the George Washington University Bookstore. Later this year, SmarTrip® users will be able to add value to their cards at the store.
GW joins other area universities that have brought the SmarTrip® convenience to their campuses. American University began selling SmarTrip® cards at its campus bookstore in November, and the University of Maryland purchased 5,000 SmarTrip® cards for distribution to incoming freshman students last fall.
About 78 percent of Metrorail riders and 68 percent of Metrobus riders use SmarTrip®, according to the latest statistics available. SmarTrip® cards improve service for customers by speeding up the time it takes to pass through Metrorail faregates or board a Metrobus.
Metrorail riders who pay their fare with a SmarTrip® card instead of a paper farecard save 25 cents per trip. Metrobus riders who pay with SmarTrip® instead of cash save 20 cents per trip.
SmarTrip® card users also receive a discount of 50 cents when transferring between Metrobus and Metrorail. Bus-to-bus transfers with a SmarTrip® card are valid for free, unlimited transfers within a two-hour period on regular Metrobus and regional bus routes, including ART, DASH, DC Circulator, CUE, Fairfax Connector, Ride On and TheBus.
SmarTrip® cards are available for purchase throughout the Washington region from more than 300 retail outlets such as Giant and CVS/pharmacy. In addition, SmarTrip® cards may be purchased online, at Metro sales offices and commuter stores and through vending machines at all Metrorail stations where Metro-operated parking is available.
SmarTrip® card users are encouraged to register their SmarTrip® card online so that if their card is lost, they won’t lose the stored value. Metro recently launched an enhanced SmarTrip® web site to allow customers to conveniently view their card balance and usage history, add multiple cards to their account, report a lost card, request a replacement card or transfer the balance to another registered card.
News release issued at 10:12 am, February 28, 2011.