METRO Increases will take effect on or about

 March 1 through June 30

Metro’s Board of Directors approved a 10-cent increase on Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess fares to help close an existing $40 million budget gap. The fare increase will take effect on or about March 1 through June 30, and it also will apply to weekly Metrobus and Metrorail passes. 

Following are the specific fare increases that will take effect on or about March 1 through June 30, which is the end of Metro’s fiscal year 2010. Additional fare increases and other actions related to Metro’s fiscal year 2011 budget are likely later this spring as Metro grapples with a projected $189 million budget deficit. 

Metrorail regular fare changes 
• The base boarding charge will increase from $1.65 to $1.75; 
• The maximum fare on the rail system will increase from $4.50 to $4.60; and 
• A surcharge of 10 cents will increase Senior/Disabled rail trips, up to a maximum of one-half the regular fare, including the surcharge. 

Metrorail reduced fare changes 
• The charge for the first 7 composite miles of travel during off-peak periods will increase from $1.35 to $1.45; 
• The charge for travel between 7 and 10 composite miles of travel during off-peak periods will increase from $1.85 to $1.95; and 
• The charge for travel over 10 composite miles during off-peak periods will increase from $2.35 to $2.45. 

Metrobus fare changes 
• The Metrobus cash boarding charge will increase from $1.35 to $1.45, and the SmarTrip® boarding charge will increase from $1.25 to $1.35; 
• The Metrobus express service cash boarding charge will increase from $3.10 to $3.20, and the SmarTrip® boarding charge will increase from $3 to $3.10; 
• The Senior and Disabled Metrobus fare will increase from 60 cents to 70 cents; and 
• A surcharge of 10 cents will increase the charge for reduced Metrobus fares in the District of Columbia. 

MetroAccess fare changes 
• The MetroAccess fare will increase from $2.50 to $2.60. 

Changes to Metrorail passes equivalent to 10 cents 
• The Metrorail One Day Pass will increase from to $7.80 to $8.30; 
• The Metrorail Weekly Short Trip Pass will increase from $26.40 to $27.90; 
• The Metrorail Weekly Fast Pass will increase from $39 to $40.50; 
• The Metrorail SmartStudent Pass will increase from $26 to $27.50; 
• The Metrorail Transit Link Card on MARC and VRE will increase from $80 to $84; 
• The Metrorail Transit Line Card on MTA will increase from $135 to $139; and 
• DC Student farecards will increase from $8 for 10 trips to $8.80 for 10 trips. 

Changes to Metrobus passes equivalent to 10 cents 
• The Metrobus weekly flash pass will increase from $11 to $12; 
• DC student tokens will increase from $6.25 to $6.85; 
• The weekly Senior Flash Pass will increase from $6 to $6.60; and 
• The weekly Disabled Flash Pass will increase from $6 to $6.60.