Photo courtesy of WMATA
WMATA and the Presidential Inaugural Committee have joined forces to release an inaugural SmarTrip sleeve complete with a blank-faced photo of President-elect Donald Trump. The card holder also bears Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again!”
Metro released a traditional commemorative SmarTrip card in December but it is notably devoid of any reference to the president-elect.
At the time, the transit agency said that officials tried to get permission to use a photo from Trump’s campaign, but never heard back. Metro quickly announced thereafter that it was working with the PIC on the sleeve, and the committee “has been very responsive and engaged in the process,” according to Metro spokesperson Dan Stessel.
The cards are available online for $10 through January 13 (and at some CVS stores), and they entitle cardholders to unlimited Metrorail or Metrobus trips on the day of inauguration. Riders can get the Trump-ed up sleeves for free that morning at select Metro stations.
On Inauguration Day, Metrorail will open early at 4 a.m. with near rush-hour service on all lines until 9 p.m. The system will be open until midnight. Metro and the PIC encourage inauguration attendees to purchase passes in advance to avoid expected wait times.
Metro is producing 50,000 of the commemorative sleeves. They’ll be distributed at the following “popular” Metro stations:
- Vienna
- New Carrollton
- Franconia – Springfield
- Shady Grove
- Greenbelt
- Largo Town Center
- Branch Avenue
- Glenmont
- Wiehle-Reston East
- Pentagon City
In addition, sleeves will be available from station managers at Union Station, Metro Center, and Gallery Place.
