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This information has been provided by Metro. It is displayed here without editing.
Save with Flash Passes
July 1996
Paying your fare
Your fare depends on when and how far you travel. Peak fares are charged weekdays between 5:30 - 9:30 a.m. and 3 - 8 p.m. Off-peak fares are chared at all other times. Fares are posted in all Metrobuses and at all Metro station kiosks. Up to two children 4 years old or younger ride free when accompanied by a paying passenger.
On Metrorail, you need a magnetically encoded farecard to ride. Each passenger must have one. Farecards can be purchased at any Metro station for as little as $1.10 - the least expensive ride - or for as much as $45. You get a 10 percent bonus when you buy one for $20 or more (for example, pay $20, get a farecard worth $22). Note: Farecard machines give change in coins and the maximum change returned is $4.95. Keep this in mind if you are using a large bill.
On Metrobus, you will need exact change because Metrobus operators do not carry cash. Or you may use a Metro Flash Pass. The base fare for most Metrobus trips is $1.10 but surcharges, state and zone crossing fees can increase your fare. Some routes have discounted fares.
If you're transferring from Metrorail to Metrobus in the District of Columbia or Virginia, get a rail transfer at the station where you enter and give it to the Metrobus operator when you first board to receive a discount on your bus fare.
Fares for Senior Citizens and Riders with Disabilities
Reduced fares are available for Medicare card holders, persons with disabilities and senior citizens, 65 years of age and older with Metro ID cards. On Metrobus, qualified riders pay a flat fare of 50 cents fare plus surcharges, if applicable.
On Metrorail, qualified riders can buy $3 and $10 farecards at all Metro sales offices and other retail locations. These farecards are not sold at Metro stations. With one of these farecards, you are charged half the peak fare - not to exceed $1.60 - for the distance you travel regardless of the time of day.
If you travel frequently, you may want to purchase the Senior Citizen and Disabled Pass for $15.50. This pass is good for unlimited Metrobus trips for a specific two weeks and the $5 rail value can still be used even after the valid period expires.
For additional information, senior citizens can call 202-637-7000 (TDD 202-638-3780) and persons with disabilities can call 202-962-1245 (TDD 202-628-8973).
Flash Passes
With Metrobus Flash Passes, just flash your pass each time you board the bus. Avoid transfer charges and the need to carry exact change. The Bus/Rail SUPER Pass, MD Base, MD-DC, VA 2-Zone and VA 3-Zone Flash Passes are honored by the Montgomery County Ride-On system. The Bus/Rail SUPER Pass, MD-DC and Virginia Flash Passes are honored by Alexandria DASH and Fairfax Connector bus systems.
For Metrorail and Metrobus travel
These passes are available for specific two-week periods.
Bus/Rail SUPER Pass - $65. Valid for two weeks of unlimited Metrobus and Metrorail rides. This pass covers the full fare including surcharges on Metrobus.
Arlington County Flash Pass - $25. This pass covers two weeks of unlimited bus rides anywhere within Arlington County only and includes $15 rail value that you can use systemwide.
Senior Citizen and Disabled Pass - $15.50. Valid for unlimited Metrobus trips for two weeks and includes $5 rail value you can use even after the 14-day period expires. You must have a Medicare or Metro ID Card to buy this pass. People 65 years or older and people with disabilities are eligible. Call 202-637-7000 for more information.
For Metrorail travel
These passes begin when you want them to. The valid period begins the first time you use the pass.
Metrorail One Day Pass - $5. This pass is valid for one day of unlimited travel any weekday after 9:30 a.m. or all day on any Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday.
Metrorail Short Trip Pass - $35. This pass is valid for unlimited short-distance rides that cost $1.60 or less for 14 days in a row. If your trip costs more than $1.60, use the Exitfare machine to deposit the additional fare. Your pass will be returned to you to use for the rest of the 14-day period.
Metrorail Fast Pass - $50. This pass is valid for unlimited rides for 14 days in a row.
Metrorail 28-Day Pass - $100. This pass is valid for unlimited travel for 28 days in a row.
For Metrobus travel
All Metrobus Flash passes are valid for specific two-week periods.
DC Base Flash Pass - $20. This pass is valid for unlimited ($1.10 base fare) Metrobus trips within the District of Columbia only. This pass cannot be used as partial payment for an interstate trip.
MD Base Flash Pass - $20. This pass is valid for unlimited ($1.10 base fare) Metrobus trips within Maryland only. This pass cannot be used as partial payment for an interstate trip.
MD-DC Base Flash Pass - $30. During peak hours, covers the cost of trips between and within Maryland and the District of Columbia and the base fare ($1.10) for any trip within Virginia. During off-peak hours, this pass is valid for unlimited Metrobus travel systemwide.
VA Base Flash Pass - $20. Valid for unlimited one-zone Metrobus trips ($1.10 base fare) within Virginia only. This pass cannot be used as partial payment for an interstate trip.
VA 2-Zone Flash Pass - $27. During peak hours, covers any two-zone trip ($1.45 fare) in Virginia and the base fare ($1.10) in the District of Columbia and Maryland. During off-peak hours, this pass is valid for unlimited Metrobus travel systemwide.
VA 3-Zone Flash Pass - $34. During peak hours, this pass covers the cost of any trip within Virginia and the base fare ($1.10) in the District of Columbia and Maryland. During off-peak hours, the pass is valid for unlimited Metrobus travel systemwide.
Metrobus Tokens - Metrobus tokens are available in packages of ten for $11 or 20 for $22. Tokens can be used for the base fare ($1.10) systemwide on any Metrobus.
Note: The Virginia Flash Passes, the MD-DC Flash Pass and the Bus/Rail SUPER Pass are accepted on Alexandria DASH and Fairfax Connector buses. The MD Base, MD-DC, VA 2- and 3-Zone Flash Passes and the Bus/Rail SUPER Pass are accepted on Montgomery County Ride-On buses.
Advanced Group Fare Purchases
Coordinating a large group activity, convention or meeting? Purchase Metrorail farecards, One Day Passes and Metrobus tokens in bulk in advance and make it convenient for your group to travel around the Washington metropolitan area. Call 202-962-1326 for details about advance group fare purchases.
Metro Sales Offices
Metro fares are sold at the following Metro sales offices. They're also sold at participating Giant, Safeway and SuperFresh stores, Crystal City Commuter Service Center, Ballston, Rosslyn and White Flint Transit Stores, and through TicketMaster at 202-432-7328.
Metro Headquarters (Lobby)
600 Fifth Street NW
Open weekdays 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m.
Metro Center Sales Office
12th and F Street NW (Metro Center station)
Open weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Metro Pentagon Sales Office
Pentagon Concourse
Open weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 - 3 p.m.
Metrobus Northern Division
4615 - 14th Street NW
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Metrobus Western Division
5230 Wisconsin Avenue NW (enter on 44th Street, one block off Wisconsin Avenue)
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Metrobus Southeastern Division
17 M Street SE
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Metrobus Royal Street Division
600 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, Va.
Open weekdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Metrobus Four Mile Run Division
3501 Glebe Road, Arlington, Va.
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Metrobus Landover Division
3433 Pennsy Drive, Landover, Md.
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.