From pandas and commemorative inauguration passes to a simple “welcome aboard,” Metro’s paper fare cards, which will be phased out Saturday, were souvenirs for tourists, and a way of life for commuters, for a long time.
WASHINGTON — As Metro gets ready to celebrate 40 years of rail service later this month, a big change is coming for Metro riders this weekend: the end of sliding an iconic paper fare card with a magnetic strip through faregates to get in and out.
From pandas and commemorative inauguration passes to a simple “welcome aboard,” Metro’s paper fare cards were souvenirs for tourists, and a way of life for commuters, for a long time.
While about 90 percent of all riders had already made the switch to SmarTrip — since Metro has been charging those riding with paper fare cards more for years now — Saturday’s move is still a major milestone that Metro expects will cut down on faregate backups and save the system money.
The “technology” faregates use to accept paper fare cards dates to the 1970s and includes rubber bands. Metro says it will save money by cutting out maintenance of that technology, and that the changes will lead to fewer faregate malfunctions. Metro compares some issues the machines have to paper jams or toner issues in a copy machine.
With all riders using SmarTrip, Metro also projects lines will move more quickly through turnstiles, helping with backups outside stations after Nationals games, during cherry blossom season or on July 4.
Under the plan rolled out in 2014 and solidified last year, Saturday is the final day passengers can use paper fare cards to ride the rail system. Starting Sunday, only SmarTrip cards or D.C. student passes will be accepted.
Riders who have paper fare cards sitting in drawers or wallets can still trade them in to put the value on a new or existing SmarTrip card through June 30. After that, any money remaining on paper fare cards will be lost.
Metro now charges $2 for a SmarTrip card. Since Metro has been charging an additional $1 per ride to those using paper fare cards since 2012, Metro says the $2 charge meant to cover the cost of the SmarTrip card now has a limited impact on riders.
In December, Metro stopped dispensing paper fare cards at stations. Riders can now get a SmarTrip at any of the blue machines at each stop.
In January, Metro transitioned Transit Link Card passes tied to MARC, Virginia Railway Express and MTA Commuter Bus tickets from a paper fare card to a SmarTrip card.
SmarTrip is now the primary mode of payment on Metrobus routes, but bus riders can still pay with cash. Although it is unusual to see a rider use them, Metro does still accept tokens for regular bus fares. Those tokens are no longer sold.