Getting Ready for SmarTrip

D ear Dr. Gridlock:

At the entrance to the West Falls Church Metro station, there is a sign stating that as of June 28, 2004, cash will not be accepted to pay for parking at that station. You must have a SmarTrip card.

It is impossible to buy a SmarTrip card at that Metro station. While I can buy a card elsewhere, can you please ask Metro what arrangements will be made for tourists?

Gaye Lindsey

McLean

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

Now that the Metro parking lots will accept only SmarTrip cards, will there still be someone at the booth to troubleshoot?

If not, what are riders to do when there is a problem? In the past year, I have experienced at least two instances in which the SmarTrip card machines failed.

Barbara Kritzer

Potomac

Metro is making this change amid allegations that cashiers were stealing parking fees they collected.

Dr. Gridlock has submitted these and other anxious reader questions to Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein for comment. She says:

"Here is everything you need to know about SmarTrip parking at Metro lots:

"Starting Monday, June 28, customers who park at Metro parking lots will have to pay for parking via the SmarTrip card. This change is being implemented to eliminate suspected theft of parking fees. There will no longer be cashiers taking money starting June 28.