How do I use Washinton Metro wisely?

Question

I use metro about 3~4 times a week going back and forth.
usually pay about 1.35 or 2.15 depends on where I go

I've looked on a "week pass" which is $33 but it's more than what I would spend for a week.
I'm a high school student but there doesn't seem to be discount for students.

I'd like to make a smart card so I don't have to get a ticket everytime but where do i make a card? and how do I know how much money left in it?

And Is the ticket more expensive during the rush hour?
if so, what range of time is rush hour? cuz I sometimes use metro after 7 p.m. and I was wondered if the ticket's cheaper.

Answer 1

You are right that the week pass is just too much for you. I commute by metro every day, and still do not pay $33 a week, so it's even not of much savings for a regular commuter.

A Smart Trip card can be purchased in the stations that have parking lots - there is a small dispenser machine, usually near the farecard machines. For stations that don't sell them it's a little trickier. You can get them at Metro Center Sales office, any retail office or commuter store (those are at locations listed in the URL below. If you buy in a station you have to have a $10 bill, and you only get $5 worth of fare for that - you essentially pay $5 for the card. Keep in mind you do get something for you $5. If you lose a metro card you are out of luck, but if you lose a smart trip card, as long as you have registered it, you can get the balance you had on it transferred to another card!

When you enter or leave the metro system you touch the card to the smart trip hot spot on the entryway - and it tells you how much you have left on the card in a little screen on the turnstile. So you can always know how much you have on the card. If you forget to look, you can touch it to the hot spot on one of the farecard machines - that will tell you what you want to know.

Higher rates on metro are between opening and 9:30 AM and between 3 and 7 PM and from 2 AM to closing. So after 7 you do have lower rates. For short trips ($1.35, for example) you don't see a difference, but as they get longer you do.

Answer 2

Really Julie covered it.

The only thing I would add is that you will be able to look at the fare box on the Metro bus and see how much you have left in it. You can also add money to your card at the fare box on the buses. Otherwise add at the metro stations.

I have an American Express card, but would not think about leaving home without my Smart Card. I am retired so you will not recognize me, because I will not be wearing my uniform.

Answer 3

Julie is right that you should get a SmarTrip card. What's really great is that you can also use it on most suburban buses now. Sadly, most Metro stations only have two or three fare machines where you can load up your SmarTrip, and it's time-consuming to load it up on a bus.

Answer 4

Julie covered most everything. One thing to add, WMATA just announced that SmartCards are available at more Giants. Check out: http://www.wmata.com/about/met_news/story.cfm?ID=1542