October 13, 2006
What Metro (Actually) Needs: SmarTrip Monthly Passes
We had no idea the can of worms we were opening when we suggested that Metro might want to consider introducing some sort or weekly or monthly pass. We got a flurry of responses in the comments section pointing out that Metro offers several different passes. Since then, however, the issue, and its relation to Metro's new SmarTrip-only lanes, has been the subject of even more discussion in the online media-verse.
After mulling over the various comments and responses on this topic, we would like to revise our initial recommendation; Metro needs not only to offer a monthly or weekly pass, but one that is integrated with SmarTrip.
Metro introduced and is encouraging the use of SmarTrip for several reasons. Over the long term, electronic fare collection is more cost-effective. Unlike farecards, it can be used for trains, buses, and parking. It also promotes smoother flow of passenger traffic through stations and allows riders to take advantage of transfers more easily.
But some commuters are unable to use SmarTrip. For example, during a recent Post Live Chat, a reader from Mt. Airy, Maryland brought the subject of the weekly pass up:
My Shady Grove to Farragut North commute costs $3.90 each way. I've been paying with my SmarTrip card (total cost for one week is $39). I just learned it would be cheaper to use the 7-Day Fast Pass for $32.50. (It's almost as good as getting one day for free.) It seems like Metro should offer some sort of cost savings to those of us that use the SmarTrip card (day in and day out, 52 weeks a year) rather than offer cost savings to those that buy one 7-Day Fast Pass.
The Post commenter is choosing the weekly Fast Pass instead of using SmarTrip, which runs counter to Metro's pro-SmarTrip policies. A SmarTrip-based weekly pass would allow this person to get the benefits of the electronic farecard and the weekly discount. The technology should not be out of reach for Metro, and it would free Metro from having to mail out hundreds of paper passes each week, making it easier for both Metro and the riders.
It seems even sillier that the two are not integrated considering the new SmarTrip-only faregates, which was brought up in several other Post Live Chat comments.
Smart Trip Stiles: I hate them. As a previous poster said, some daily Metro riders cannot use SmarTrip cards. It's more economically feasible to buy fast-pass or other weekly pass cards. Now, every time I exit at the Bethesda Metro station, I either have to wait in a long line to go through the turnstiles, or sprint past other Metro riders to sail through quickly.Bethesda, Md.: I ride the MARC train and the Metro and use what's called a Transit Link monthly card which is just like a regular farecard. So until they come up with one that's similar to the SmarTrip for us, that's what I have to use.
SmarTrip: I also use a weekly pass. It's cheaper that way instead of having to buy a SmarTrip card -- which charges more on a per/trip basis because of the high number of trips I take every week. So yes, I don't like the new SmarTrip card readers either. It makes me want to use the Metro less and just drive.
There are obviously plenty of people out there who could take advantage of some sort of weekly or monthly pass, and they should not be precluded from using SmarTrip.
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I just asked my boss what Metro offered in terms of monthly passes and she gave me a rather convoluted and backwards response.
want proof? look here: http://www.wmata.com/riding/passes.cfm
Metro needs to start offering a SIMPLE EASY TO PURCHASE CARD THAT ALLOWS YOU ONE MONTH'S UNLIMITED TRAVEL FOR A FEE OF $70-80. It would certainly encourage people to take the metro more often.
WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT ABOUT THAT, WMATA?
in california we all have monthly passes
I eagerly anticipate the day when monthly passes on SmarTrip are finally an option. I also wish that they created a system where the SmarTrip card would "cap out" so that all my rides after 9.30 am would not cost me more then a $6.50 day pass. This might not be a feasible idea for weekdays, but I always want this for running errands on Saturdays as a carless city-dweller. I know this is possible as London's OysterCard would do this.
The problem is two fold: commuters who travel the $3.90 route understand that of course you dont use smartrip as it would cost you at least 7 dollars more per week (and that is assuming you dont take advantage of the weekends-which would save you even more money). Second, even when you do purchase weekly passes you can not use them on buses, which in truth makes them nothing more then train tickets, not passes!
I dont understand what is wrong with WMATA-While they do a good job keeping the system clean and relatively on time (compared to the major metro systems in the US) they could really learn a thing or two from MTA (NYC) about how to operate a true metro system that allows for total access on a monthly basis as opposed to some confusing weekly (sort-of) pass.
I contacted WMATA with the suggestion of putting passes on SmarTrip and they responded in an email saying that they were working on the technical aspects. Unfortunately they gave 2008 as the expected roll out date for this feature.
In California, all of 17 people take mass transit, DC1974.
(I know, I know, LA.. second-biggest transit system in the country, blah blah blah, but still...)
The ability to buy even a day pass and put it on a SmarTrip would be amazing.
In Tokyo, they have monthly passes you can buy for one, three, or six months at a time. They're valid between two stations -- you can get on/off at any place along a designated route between those two stations as much as you want without any extra charge, but if you stray outside that route you must pay the difference.
Metro's "monthly passes" are just unlimited farecards. That's a waste of money for people who just ride between two stations every day. Metro can easily institute the above pass system, since the ticket gates keep track of when and where you've been. Then they could just raise regular fares for non-commuters without monthly passes, keeping fares lower for people who commute every day. But I'm sure people would whine and complain about some other problem with the passes, this being America, after all...
I had thought it was because the smartrip is also mandatory *rolling my eyes on that one* for exiting the metro parking garages.
My big problem has always been with the student pass, a current monthy option. The problem with the pass is that only students living in the district AND going to school in the district are allowed to use it. I personally lived in Maryland but went to high school in the city and had friends that did the reverse. The pass would have saved my tons of money but they won't budge.
Again. Ridership is up, and trains are at capacity....whats metros incentive for another cost....NONE!
Here's the real madness:
Going from the Metro to the bus? Only a 35 cent transfer fee!
Going from the bus to the Metro? Full fare on each.
If they really, really wanted folks to use SmartTrip cards, why not give them some extra benefits like bus to metro transfers.
Uh...duh! Why mess with passes at all?
Just set a lower tier price for trips on SmartTrip (say...10%). If needed, up the cost of the Week Pass to above the discounted travel cost...but it would be better to discount.
There. Problem solved. People have an incentive to buy ST cards, there is no longer any advantage in passes, and everyone gets a break instead of just the exurban whiners.
Thanks! WMATA, email me as to where to send my consulting fee.
as a former DC resident who commuted from dupont to king street everyday, there was a great sigh of relief when i moved to chicago and was able to get a go card (cta's version of a smartrip) that didn't deduct per ride. my $6.10 daily charge (plus whatever weekend jaunting i wanted to do) has now been replaced by $75 a month with unlimited rides.
we have an option where you can pay by swipe, if you're only on the cta a few days a week or something, but the majority of the go card users are daily riders. plus, it helps to be able to not be charged again when you stop at whole foods on your way home to pick up dinner.
seriously, dc, learn how to do it right.
How about a sensor on the turnstile that is raised or flat instead of the current recessed area. That way it wouldn't catch your SmartPass as you slide it over the sensor.
Because the dc metro system is set up to charge people based on the distance & time of day they travel (so that we can collect $ from the "out-of-towners") an unlimited ride monthly pass would result in HUGE savings for some individuals and very small savings for others.
No incentive for metro (or the city) to lose $ from commuters who do not pay city taxes.
I also wrote to WMATA asking about putting passes on SmarTrip. Should be happening by end of 2008 is what I was told.
Write the Board or attend a meeting. Speak up!
Michael