Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 13, 2012

Metro begins presale of commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip cards


Customers can preorder online at wmata.com/inauguration

2013 Inaugural SmarTrip

The election may have been decided less than a week ago, but it's not too soon to start thinking about Inauguration.

Metro today began accepting online orders for its commemorative 2013 Inaugural SmarTrip cards. Featuring an image of President Barack Obama, the reusable plastic card comes pre-loaded with a One-Day Pass that provides unlimited travel on Metrorail on the day it is first used. Each commemorative card costs $15, which is only $1 more than the cost of a one-day paper pass and $4 less than the cost of purchasing a SmarTrip® card and One-Day Pass separately. As an added bonus, the commemorative SmarTrip® can be used as a "flash pass" for unlimited Metrobus travel on Inauguration Day, January 21.

"We are proud to be part of the journey for people traveling to President Obama’s second inauguration," said Lynn Bowersox, Assistant General Manager for Customer Service, Communications and Marketing. "As a convenience to our customers, we are offering the opportunity to preorder commemorative SmarTrip cards for family, friends, visitors -- anyone coming to the region for Inauguration Day."

SmarTrip is the preferred way to pay for Metrorail and Metrobus trips because it is faster -- thereby allowing Metro to reduce crowding and help people move safely and efficiently through the system - and costs less. Once the One-Day Pass is used, customers can reload the commemorative card and use it like any standard SmarTrip® card. The cards are expected to ship in mid-December.

Metro has launched an Inauguration webpage at wmata.com/inauguration where customers can sign up for special email and text alerts to get the latest service information and travel tips leading up to and including Inauguration Day. Metro also has set up a special Twitter account for the event -- @MetroInaug.

On Inauguration Day:

  • Metrorail will open at 4 a.m. and close at 2 a.m.
  • Metrorail will provide 17 consecutive hours of rush-hour service -- from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. Peak fares will be in effect during that time.Normal weekday parking rates will apply at Metrorail parking facilities. Parking fees will be charged as customers exit the garage and may be paid by SmarTrip® or credit card.
  • Metrobus will operate weekday rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon. Many routes will operate on detours due to Inaugural events.MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus.
  • MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan extra time due to increased traffic throughout the service area.

News release issued at 11:56 am, November 13, 2012.