SmarTrip
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The SmarTrip card is a plastic contactless stored-value smart card used for payment within the Washington Metro system of Washington, D.C. Unlike traditional paper farecards, it is designed to be permanent and reloadable, and as of 2004 can be used in all Metrorail stations, and on all Metrobuses. Additionally, as of June 28, 2004, SmarTrip is the only way to pay for parking fees at Metro-operated lots. SmarTrip can also be used on the DC Circulator.
SmarTrip cards are roughly the same size as a credit card or driver's license. The card is touched to a circular target rather than inserted into a slot, affording some speed and convenience over the paper farecard. Additionally, it is usually not necessary to remove the card from a wallet or purse before touching the Smartrip target. In the Metrorail system, touching the card will display the value remaining as the faregate opens, both when entering and exiting. On Metrobuses, the farebox will audibly beep and display the value. In all cases, the appropriate fare is deducted automatically, accounting for any applicable transfers and discounts.
SmarTrip cards cost five dollars, and are available for purchase at Metro sales facilities at the Metro Center and Pentagon stations, from vending machines at most stations, and online. When purchased from station vending machines, the cards cost ten dollars, but come with five dollars' worth of fare preloaded on the card. SmarTrip cards are sold online for $30 ($5 for the card and $25 fare value). SmartTrip cards can be reloaded using farecard vending machines equipped with a SmarTrip target and can store up to $300 in value at one time.
As the Exitfare machines currently do not accept SmarTrip, riders with insufficient value to pay their fare are allowed to exit the system with a negative balance. This negative balance must, however, be paid before the card may be used again to enter the system. One may not exit a Metro parking facility with a negative balance on the SmarTrip card; the card must contain sufficient value to pay the full fee in order to exit the Metro parking lot.
A microchip contained within the card stores its value, as well as the rider's most recent entry and exit points, and a unique identifier. However, the unique identifier is not linked to a person's name or identity, unless one registers their cards online. Registering SmarTrip cards allows one to recover the card balance value (minus the five-dollar cost for a new card), should the card be lost, stolen, or damaged. The unique identifier also allows workers enrolled in the SmartBenefits program to receive their monthly benefit automatically to their SmarTrip card.
SmarTrip cards have conditions of use and instructions on the back; on the front is a stylized picture of a railcar and a bus in front of representations of the Washington Monument, United States Capitol, and stylized versions of classical architecture found in Washington DC. The Metro logo appears in the bottom left.
The SmarTrip system was built and designed by Cubic Transportation Systems.
[edit] Parking
In a controversial move, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that as part of a new cashless parking payment system, SmarTrip would be the only way to pay for parking at Metro-operated garages and lots effective June 28, 2004, after reports of widespread theft of cash by Metro's parking contractor, Penn Parking. This prompted cries that Metro was inconveniencing its many customers, including tourists and other infrequent users, who did not own a SmarTrip card. In response, Metro installed special SmarTrip card vending machines at all stations with parking facilities to make the cards more readily available. However, temporary shortages of cards were experienced immediately following the system's implementation. It should be noted that SmarTrip cards are not required for parking at Metro stations on weekends, holidays, and other special events, as parking fees are only charged on normal weekdays.
