Getting Around the District
SmarTrip
SmarTrip is a permanent, rechargeable farecard. It's plastic--like a debit card-- and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. Instead of inserting a farecard through the Metrorail faregate slot, you touch the SmarTrip card to the circular target panels on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip. You may add up to $300 in Metro value on a SmarTrip card, so it can last a long time between charging. Not only is this more convenient for frequent traveling, but by registering the card the value is protected even if the card is lost or stolen. For a $5 fee to replace the card itself, SmarTrip will issue you a new card with the value on the card at the time you notify SmarTrip it was lost. For more information on the SmarTrip system or to purchase a card online, visit the
SmarTrip website.
For more information about the Metrorail or Metrobus system, visit the Metro website at
www.wmata.com
For more information about car sharing or to become a member, visit the Flexcar website at:
www.flexcar.com or the Zipcar website at:
www.zipcar.com. vary between the programs, but average between $7.50 and $9.00 per hour, which includes gas and insurance.
Metrorail
The Metrorail is a subway system that serves the
metropolitan Washington area with over 80 stations located in
Washington, Northern Virginia, and Southern Maryland, including the
Foggy Bottom/George Washington University station on the corner of 23rd
and I Streets, NW. The Metrorail system operates 7 days a week.
Operating hours are:
- Monday-Thursday: 5:30am to midnight
- Friday: 5:30am to 3am Saturday
- Saturday: 7am to 3am Sunday
- Sunday: 7am to midnight
Fares range from $1.35 to $3.90 depending on the time of day (rush
hour) traveling and distance of the trip. For more information about
the Metrorail system, including fares, maps and timetables, and a trip
planner visit the Metrorail website at: www.wmata.com.
Metrobus
The Metrobus system is a public bus system that
also serves the metropolitan Washington area. Metrobus fares are $1.25
for regular routes and $3.00 for express routes. For more information
about the Metrobus system, including bus stops, maps, timetables and a
trip planner, visit the Metro website at: www.wmata.com.
Car Sharing
Although public transportation in the District
is convenient and easy-to-use, there may be times when access to a car
is necessary: if you need to pick your mother up at Dulles or you want
to take a weekend trip. Car sharing is an economical and easy way to do
this. Two services in the area, Flexcar and Zipcar, offer car sharing
options. Both companies have multiple cars parked throughout the city
near Metrorail stations and along Metrobus routes. Members can call or
go online to reserve a specific car for a specific amount of time.
Members pick up their car at the scheduled time by using their special
keycard to open the door. Pricing structures vary between the programs,
but average between $7.50 and $9.00 per hour, which includes gas and
insurance.
For more information about car sharing or to become a member, visit the Flexcar website at: www.flexcar.com or the Zipcar website at www.zipcar.com.
