WASHINGTON — Metro is rolling out its plan to change the way customers pay to use the system. Starting next year, some riders will begin to travel Metro’s rails and buses without a SmarTrip card.
Many are already using technology, such as Google Wallet and chip-enabled purchasing everyday. But not on Metro. That will soon change.
“They’ll be able to use whatever is in their wallet or their smartphone or their watch to enter and exit the system seamlessly without ever stopping,” says Metro Spokesman Dan Stessel.
Next month, Metro will start installing pay stations and fare gates. The full pilot program will roll out in 10 rail stations, six metro bus routes and two parking garages in January.
The stations participating in the pilot program are: Shady Grove, Eisenhower Avenue, Bethesda, Pentagon City, Pentagon, Ballston, Gallery Place (7th & F), Farragut West, Navy Yard and Suitland, according to Metro’s website.
Parking facilities at Shady Grove and Suitland will be included in the pilot.
The six Metrobus routes selected for the pilot are: 37 (Wisconsin Ave. Limited), X9 (Benning Rd.-H St. Limited), 39 (Pennsylvania Ave. Limited), K9 (New Hampshire Ave. Limited), J4 (College Park-Bethesda Limited) and REX (Richmond Highway Express), according to Metro’s website.
“We’re going to recruit 3,000 Metro riders as part of the pilot who commute to or from those 10 stations that are part of the pilot or the six Metrobus routes,” Stessel says.
Metro plans to go in front of its governing board Thursday to discuss the details of the plan. Stessel says a goal of the system is not only to make it easier for residents who use the system, but also for visitors.
“They’ll be able to arrive on an international flight and step onto the system without ever having to stop at a fare vending machine or look at a fare chart figuring out how much money to put on a card,” Stessel says.
Read more about the program in Metro’s presentation summary on Metro’s website.
Follow @WTOP and @WTOPtech on Twitter and and WTOP on Facebook.
