This article is about 6 years old

Metro no longer allows negative balances on SmarTrip cards

WASHINGTON — Metro will no longer allow passengers to board a bus or exit a rail station if it would lead to a negative balance on their SmarTrip cards starting Monday.

Riders will have to add money to their card at an exitfare machine just before the exit gates at most stations. Exitfare machines only accept cash.

Negative balances on SmarTrip cards from the last 17 years totals about $25 million, Metro said in November.

The change was announced Nov. 24.

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