Metro’s Board today approved charging rush-hour fares and parking fees on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2009.

“We are charging rush hour fares to meet an unprecedented demand for service,” Metro General Manager John Catoe said in a statement.

From the press release:

The transit agency will charge peak fares from the rail system’s 4 a.m. opening until 9 p.m. on Jan. 20. Metro’s commemorative One-Day Pass with a special Inauguration design will be sold for $10 online and $7.80 at Metro sales offices and fare vending machines. The cost of the passes will be $10 at all sales locations Jan. 20. And Metro will charge $4 for motorists to park in its lots.

Typically, since Inauguration Day is a federal holiday, Metro’s parking lots are free of charge that day.

While parking lots located at the Greenbelt, Van Dorn and Morgan Boulevard stations will be limited to charter bus parking only, there will be 40,000 spaces available for private cars to park in other Metro lots on Jan. 20. Of note: you won’t need a SmarTrip card to pay for parking that day, as Metro says it will have staff on hand to collect the $4 fee in cash.

Catoe is also encouraging locals to purchase commemorative One-Day Passes in advance to save money and avoid the lines.

“If you are an area resident who frequents Metro, you get a ‘local’ discount by being able to purchase a One-Day Pass between now and January 19 for $2.20 less than those who are just arriving to town on January 20,” Catoe said.

You can sign up for special WMATA e-alerts dedicated to the Inauguration.

Photo by d2digital