Photo by ep_jhu

Beginning Sunday, everything offered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is getting a bit more expensive. Fares on Metrorail and Metrobus are set to increase as are the fees for parking at Metrorail stations throughout the system.

Starting July 1, off-peak Metrorail rides will cost most riders between $1.70 and $3.50. During peak hours on weekdays, those rates will jump to between $2.10 and $5.75. Fares for seniors and the disabled will range from $1.05 to $2.85 at all times.

But Metrorail is getting rid of the so-called “peak-of-the-peak” period, which tacked on an extra 20 cents to rides during the height of rush hour. However, there is going to be an added emphasis on getting more riders than ever before to sign up for Metro’s SmarTrip cards. With the new fares will come a $1 surcharge for passengers using an old-style paper ticket. But it should be easier to obtain the cards, which were previously only available from a dispenser at Metro Center or from convenience and grocery stores. Metro has installed new SmarTrip machines at stations throughout downtown D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Bus fares are set to increase, too, rising by 10 cents on regular routes to $1.60 for customers with a SmarTrip card and $1.80 for those paying cash. Express routes will cost $3.65 with a card and $4 cash.

Metro’s discounted fares for students are unchanged. While Metro says that the the cost of transporting riders of all ages has increased, the District is covering the difference in price for public-school students.

Additionally, parking is also getting a bit pricer at lots attached to Metrorail stations, with daily fees set to range from $3.50 to $5, and monthly passes from $45 to $65.

The fare hikes were announced at a WMATA board meeting in April, and are designed to help close a $103 million budget gap in fiscal 2013.