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.
A look at the fare cards for Inauguration Day from 1993 – 2009.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
An up-close look at a variety of SmarTrip cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
An up-close look at a variety of SmarTrip cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
An up-close look at a WMAL-Redskins SmarTrip card.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards, including a tax-free commuting card.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A variety of SmarTrip paper fare cards.
(WTOP/J.J. Green)
WTOP/J.J. Green
A veritable panoply of SmarTrip cards, paper fare cards — even bus tokens.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A fare card celebrating Metro’s 25th anniversary in 2001.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A fare card in 2000.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A fare card from the past.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A fare card from the past.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
The fare cards during the 10-year anniversary of Metro.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A look at the design of one of Metro’s fare cards from the past.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A look at the design of one of Metro’s fare cards from the past.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A previous Metro fare card.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A look at the design of one of Metro’s fare cards from the past.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A soccer-themed Metro fare card.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A fare card once in circulation for Metro.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A panda graces a Metro fare card.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A Metro fare card in circulation in 1992.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
The National Zoo pandas are on the most-recent Metro fare cards.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
Paper fare cards are permanently out after Saturday.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
The one-day pass celebrating the 2009 inauguration of President Obama. At left, Metro employee Charles Legrand loads the passes into a machine.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A SmarTrip card celebrated the 10th anniversary of the D.C. Circulator.
(Courtesy D.C. Circulator)
Courtesy D.C. Circulator
The commemorative SmarTrip card for President Obama’s second inauguration, in 2013.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A line of SmarTrip cards to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the National Zoo.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A special 2014 SmarTrip card celebrates the opening of the Silver Line.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
Metro’s Van Gogh Commemorative SmarTrip Cards are in honor of an exhibit, currently at The Phillips Collection.
(Courtesy WMATA)
Courtesy WMATA
A special SmarTrip card commemorated the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon.
(Courtesy WMATA)
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.
