Additional Detailed Guide: MetroRail/Train

Submitted by terri_stocke on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 01:42

A Few points on metro stations, trains, etc.:

On metro trains, you are charged at the end of the trip based on the distance travelled and the time of the day you are using service (e.g., rush hours, weekends). On metro buses, you are charged when you board and the amount is based on the distance to be traveled – so you need to know how much you need to pay before you board and have money ready when you board. The bus drivers do not give you change, so carry small bills and coins (no pennies).
 
Keep your farecard and bus tickets during the trip.
Most metro stations are underground, some are above ground. Some have more than one entrance/exit on the street level, few blocks apart. This is important if you plan to meet with someone at the “entrance” to the station – make sure you are talking about the same entrance location.
 
Not all metro stations have metro parking next to them. You can park on the street, at nearby shopping mall’s garages, or other public garages, but there is no way to list them all and know specific rules on the ground. Metro parking includes “kiss&ride” drop off/pick up areas, outdoor metered parking area (paid for with cash; limited number of spots available), and covered multi-level garages (discussed in Parking section).
 
At the station, after you purchased the farecard, proceed to the faregates (or “gates”, or “turnstiles”). Faregates are “one-way” passages – to enter, insert the farecard into the faregate with the green and white arrows – insert the farecard face up, wait for it to be scanned and returned to you, then enter to the left of that gate (as the green arrow shows). Do not try to put farecard into faregate with red&white (“stop”) sign on it – that gate is used by those exiting the station (the exiting people see “green arrow” on their side.) Keep the farecard during the trip.
 

Then you need to go down (or up) to the platform. Some stations have two platforms, separated by train tracks that serve travelers going in opposite directions. With these stations, BEFORE you go down/up to the platform, make sure you are going to the correct platform. This would be very important if you have a child or a wheelchair person with you. Usually, there is a brown/black column or overhead sign next to the escalator (which would take you to the platform) and it lists stations that you can get to from a particular platform. If you are on a platform and you realize you are on the wrong side, – just make your way back to opposite platform – there is no charge for switching platforms. 
 
Other stations have one platform in the center and train tracks are on the opposite side of the platform. With these stations, there would be one escalator in the center. Once you are on the platform, figure out what side of platform your train will be coming to – again, look for list of stations the train will be going to from each side of a platform. Rosslyn (Orange/Blue line) is a unique station – it is two-level. Top level platform is for trains going east from Virginia towards D.C. and MD; lower level platform is for trains going west to Virginia; both Orange and Blue train will come to the same track, but they are still two different trains, so make sure you get on the one you need. 
 
Metro train come with 4 or 6 cars. If the electronic sign on the platform says the coming train has 4 cars, do not stand at the very end of the platform – you will have to run towards the last car. Each train car has 3 sets of doors on both sides – this accommodates the various platform set ups. The driver announces which doors will open before each stop (left or right side in the direction of the train).
 
Again, since stations may have more than one entrance/exit, -- after you step off and move away from the train, look at the signs (usually on the wall sign that has station’s name) – it will have arrows pointing towards escalators and will say in which direction (street name or attraction) each escalator will take you. Those arrows also point towards wheelchair accessible escalator. 

 

The frequency of trains serving each station in either direction is reduced after 10 a.m. and then picks up again by 3-4 p.m. For example, on weekdays during rush hour, trains come about every 2-4 minutes, during off-peak hours and on weekends – prepare to wait for 10-15 minutes or more for next train. The pros of riding during off-peak hours – partially empty trains and reduced rates. You might see increased crowd during weekday lunch hour or weekend (lots of shoppers use metro). Also, the Metrorail Daily Pass ($7.80) can be used from 9:30 a.m. (on weekday) or all day on Saturdays, Sundays; the pass expires at the end of the operating day (3 a.m. on weekends, midnight on weeknights). Peak hours are weekdays from opening till 9:30 a.m., then during 3-7 p.m.; and weekends 2 a.m. to closing. You will be charged regular rate during these hours; and reduced rate during all other hours. So, on Monday, any trip you take from 9:30 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. will be charged at a reduced rate.
 
Notice, if you look on the metrorail map, you will see that some color lines “run alongside” the other – at those stations the tracks are shared by two “color” lines, so if you only need to travel within those shared sections, it doesn’t matter if you get on [Orange and Blue line], [Blue and Yellow], [Yellow and Green] – it will go in the same direction for 3-5 stations and then split. “Circles” are stations; double-circles are transit stations – where you can switch to other “color line(s)”.

 

Fares: rates are fixed, pre-set based on “from-to” stations, the fares table is posted on a huge board next to the farecard vending machines; website lets you look-up what any trip will cost you based on start-end point and time (i.e. regular or reduced fare). 
 
Purchasing farecard from vending machine inside the station: for complete instructions refer to website. In general, it takes $1, 5, 10 and 20 bills, coins (no pennies); change will be given in coins only up to $5.00 value. You can also use debit or credit cards.
 
One farecard per person – that includes regular farecard, daily passes, weekly passes, etc. The way the system is designed, you won’t be able to share a card. After you purchase it, you will insert it into the “gate” scanner, it will come out after it read it. You must keep it with you during the ride and will need to re-scan it at the exit gates in order to exit the station. Each time you exit the station, the gate scanner will print the balance left on the card.
 
Farecard value: All fares listed here are as of May 2009. When you buy your farecard, you can put minimum of $1.35 (minimum cost of one trip) and maximum of $45 (which is too much per person for a weekend trip anyway). You can add value to the farecard at any station’s vending machine at any time. If you get to the area over the weekend, go ahead and buy farecard with value enough to last you through Monday (but do not buy the Daily Pass in advance). There are plenty of vending machines at each station, but you might have to wait in line to use the vending machine, especially if other tourists are having difficulty using the machines. Regular rate single trip will cost you minimum $1.65, and $4.50 maximum. Reduced fare single trip will cost you from $1.35 minimum to $2.35 max. So consider buying a card with at least $5 value per person per day to start with. Or consider buying a Daily Pass for $7.80 if you will be going to various attractions via metro. Example: A single one-way trip from Franconia Springfield to Smithsonian on Monday morning that originates before 9:30 a.m. will cost you $4.15, originated after 9:30 a.m. will cost you $2.35. 
 
When you exit the station, if you used up the balance for the trip, your “zero” balance farecard will stay in the “gate” scanner, it will not be returned to you by the “gate”.
 
If you are leaving the D.C. area for good and you have a balance left on your farecard or SmartTrip card, you cannot request the balance refund. You can consider giving it to your newly found local friends, or try giving it to anyone entering the station. 

 

Help
Metro system has its own police force and each station has a station supervisor (non-police officer) who sits in a booth – they are usually very helpful and knowledgeable. Also, you can ask locals - “Do you live in the area? Can you help me?” Most cell phone providers do not have service in the underground metro stations; all stations have a phone booth on the platform or by the vending machines; a number of stations (especially final stations on each line) are above ground so you can use your cell phone. 
 
If you ever realize you are on a wrong train going in a wrong direction, just get off the train and ask for help, do not leave the station. Most likely all it will take is to cross to the other side of the platform and get on the right train going in correct direction. There are no extra charges for making a mistake. You are only charged based on the “entry” station and “exit” station and time of the day. If you leave/exit the same station you entered few minutes ago, there is no charge.
 
My farecard doesn’t work: Do notplace your card anywhere near electronic devices – it can get de-magnetized. Also, it could fail to work if it gets wet, bent too much, damaged in any way, - the magnetic strip cannot be read by the gates. If you are outside the station and cannot get in, ask station manager for help, or just get a new card (you can then consider the hassle of replacing it at Metro sales offices atthe Metro Center or Pentagon stations). If you are inside the station, and your farecard doesn’t work so you cannot get out, or you lost it, – contact station manager for help. He might let you out if he can verify that you had enough balance and it is just the card’s fault. 

 

“I am trying to exit the station and the gate’s screen tells me it does not have enough value”: This is when I suggest to check the listing of fares before you enter the station – to make sure you will have enough balance on your card for your next trip. If you have $2 balance left on the card, and your trip ended up costing you $2.20, the gate will not let you exit the station – you need to take few steps back and find the “Exitfare” kiosk and add just the $0.20 to the card, follow the directions on the machine; it will give you the same card back with $2.20 balance although it would still say $2.00; take your card with $2.20 balance and proceed to exit. When the gate scans your ticket, it will “eat” it – you will not get it back, since the balance is zero. Just get yourself a new card if you need to ride more. 

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