Coming Sunday: Higher Metro Fares

IF YOU'VE BEEN TRAVELING on Metrorail in recent days, you might have spied new fare charts attached to the station manager kiosks. They're still wrapped in paper, but they're the latest sign that the cost of commuting is about to rise for a great many people.

As any Metro regular knows, the transit agency calculates its rail fares based on distance and time of day traveled, unlike some transit systems that charge a flat rate. So there's a bit of calculating involved to find out how much your daily trip will cost under the new structure.

Can't wait for the charts to be unveiled? Check out Metro's station-to-station fare calculation tool, which is updated to reflect the new fare structure.

Those who commute from the outer reaches of the Metrorail system will see the steepest increases. For example, a trip from the Red Line's Shady Grove terminal to the Metro Center station downtown during rush hour will cost $4.50, up from $3.90 now.

The cost of shorter rush-hour trips will increase as well. Going from the Eastern Market station to McPherson Square will cost $1.65; the current fare is $1.35.

Off-peak Metrorail fares will not increase, but parking fees at Metro garages and lots will go up. The cost of Metrobus will jump by a dime for those not using electronic SmarTrip cards. (Get more details on the fare changes here.)

Starting tomorrow, Metro will be selling SmarTrip cards for $5 at select Metrorail stations. SmarTrip cards are also available online, at Metro sales offices, at commuter stores and at select retailers, including some Giant supermarkets.

» "Online Lookup Tool for New Station-to-Station Fares" [WMATA]