SmarTrip
|
|
The SmarTrip card is a plastic contactless smartcard used for payment within the Washington Metro system of Washington, DC. Unlike the traditional paper farecards, it is designed to be permanent and rechargeable, and as of 2004 can be used for bus fares and parking fees as well as rail fares. SmarTrip cards are roughly the same size as a credit card or driver's licence.
The card is swiped over a circular pad rather than inserted into a slot, affording some speed and convenience over the paper farecard; it is usually not necessary to remove the card from a wallet or purse before swiping. In the Metrorail system, swiping 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 transfers and discounts.
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. The unique identifier allows a rider to recover the value of a lost card, minus a charge for its replacement, and allows workers enrolled in the SmartBenefits program to receive their monthly benefit automatically. A card can store up to $300 of value at one time, and allows a rider to "borrow" a single ride (i.e. end a trip with a negative balance) should its value fall below the required fare on a rail trip.
In a controversial move, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that SmarTrip would be the only way to pay for parking at garages near Metro stations effective June 28, 2004, after reports of widespread theft of cash by WMATA employees. This prompted cries that WMATA was inconveniencing its customers, many of whom did not own the SmarTrip card. Cards could only be obtained at a cost of $5—and only at a few locations in the system, which experienced shortages.
SmarTrip cards have conditions of use and instructions on the back; on the front is a stylized picture of a subway car and a bus in front of representations of the Washington Monument, United States Capitol, and other D.C. landmarks. The Metro logo appears in the bottom left.
External link
- SmarTrip (http://www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip.cfm) home page