Metro Smart Passes

Michael Perkins
Greater Greater Washington.org
 Transit Passes are Valuable
 Encourage Transit Ridership
– Off-peak is free
– All you can eat
– Simple and predictable
 Benefits Region
– More transit riders
– Encourage “car-free” living
– Reduces congestion
– Reduces parking demand
– Reduces emissions

Make Finances More Predictable
– Rider Costs
– Agency Revenues
 Other Agencies Offer Passes
 Most passes are monthly
 Monthly passes are 30-50 times regular fare
 35-41.5 typical for Metro peers
MBTA, SFMTA, CTA, Tri-Met, Puget Sound, SEPTA
 Metro doesn't have just one fare
 Current Metro passes
 Bus: Flash pass (paper) $15 per week
 Rail: Two types (magnetic strip)
 Rail Fast Pass ($47 per week)
 More expensive, but unlimited distance
 Offers very long distance commuters a
discount (about 10% max )
 Short Trip Pass ($32.35 per week)
 Cheaper, limited distance (up to $3.25)

No commuter discounts
 Inconvenient (exact change at ExitFare)
 Current Passes Have Problems
• Limited to rail only or bus only – no
transfers
• Rail passes are inconvenient
– Flimsy paper card
– Purchase weekly
– Exitfare machine
• No pass for short-distance riders
• No pass for people who ride a combination
of bus and rail
– Example: commute from Columbia Pike to
Gallery Place
 Conversion Won't Fix the
Problems

Metro plans on converting existing passes to
Smartrip

Using the same rules

Existing rail fast pass has a potential
revenue downside for Metro
– Current Rail fast pass gives a 10% discount, but it's
inconvenient
– Conversion makes it more convenient, more customers get a
discount
– Are long-distance rail riders the best discount from an equity
standpoint?
 Technology Can Fix the
Problems
 Problem: Metro's fare structure would
require too many passes to serve a wide
range of customers (peak-of-peak, disabled,
bus, rail, etc.)
 Solution:
– SmarTrip Card
– Tailor each rider's pass to their need
– Combine Rail and Bus Passes
– Offer same deal to everyone – pay for your
“commute” to get unlimited transit
 PugetPass is an Example
 Seattle using smartcard technology to its fullest
potential
 Variable pass pricing (see Puget Pass example)
 Autoload
 Subscription
 Seattle area similar to Washington
 Many local agencies
 Distance-based, peak and off-peak,
student, handicapped
 One pass for streetcar, light rail, bus,
trolleybus
 Proposal – “Smarter Pass”
 Customer chooses their typical one-way trip
 Monthly pass price is 40 times the trip fare
(about equal with commuting)
 Equal or cheaper trips included (rail or bus)
 Customer pays the difference automatically
for more expensive trips
 Rail-bus trips are treated as one long trip
 Example: $2.00 rail and $1.00 bus
transfer need a $3.00 pass - $120 per
month
Smart Pass Benefits Customers
 Simplifies pass system
 Serves all customers equally
 Long/Short Distance
 Rail/Bus
 Elderly/Disabled
 “Peak of Peak” or not
 Fixed monthly transit bill

Regular customers get free off-peak trips
 Smart Pass Benefits Agency

Reduces pass complexity – no need for
separate short/long, disabled, bus and rail
passes

Increases off-peak ridership

Pay in advance

Days off don't cut into agency bottom line
 Sick/Travel/Leave
 Snow day

Same discounts for everyone

Customer loyalty
 Smart Pass Benefits Region

Increases Transit Ridership

Transit riders get free off-peak trips

Cuts down on vehicle trips

Encourages “Car-light” or “Car-free” living

Reduces parking demand

Reduces Congestion

Reduces Emissions

Increases economic activity

Makes the system more equitable
Thanks!
Michael Perkins
703-829-0161
michaelp@ggwash.org

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