REGIONAL BRIEFING

METRO

Inauguration Farecards Go Into Vending Machines

Metro officials have started to load into vending machines at Metrorail stations commemorative Barack Obama inauguration Farecards and one-day passes, Metro officials said.

Metro printed 5 million Farecards with President-elect Obama on the face of the cards, replacing cards with an image of two pandas on the front.

The panda Farecards will return when the inaugural supply is exhausted.

Subway riders are being encouraged by Metro to purchase the one-day passes in vending machines for $7.80 in advance of inauguration weekend.

Or they can purchase regular one-day passes as well as the commemorative inauguration one-day passes through Metro's Web site (http://www.wmata.com/inauguration) for $10, which includes a handling fee.

-- Valerie Strauss

WEATHER

An Unseasonable Start Provides Warm Christmas

Washington had its warmest Christmas in at least 13 years yesterday, but not in a way likely to have provided maximum enjoyment.