Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 6, 2012
Metro begins sale of Inaugural SmarTrip® card at sales offices
Metro today began selling 2013 Commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip® cards at all Metro sales offices. 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. Once the One-Day Pass is used, customers can reload the commemorative card and use it like any standard SmarTrip® card.
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC
Open weekdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Metro Center Sales Office
12th and F Street, NW (Metro Center station)
Washington, DC
Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Metro Pentagon Sales Office
Pentagon Transit Center
Upper level bus bay
Arlington, VA
Open weekdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Northern Metrobus Garage
4615 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metro Anacostia Sales Office
Anacostia Metrorail Station, Mezzanine Level, Bus Bay Exit
1101 Howard Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Customers can also purchase the Commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip® card online at wmata.com/inauguration. To date, Metro has sold more than 5,000 cards through its website.
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.
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.
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 10:50 am, December 6, 2012.