Big pro-rider changes in transit pass products by WMATA (DC area Metrorail)

Years ago, "I was impressed by my analysis" of how WMATA charges by mode, not by trip, meaning a trip involving subway and bus required two fares (less a 50 cent discount), and that this boosting of fare revenue helped to reduce fare-subsidy related appropriations by local jurisdictions.

-- "Getting WMATA out of crisis: a continuation of a multi-year problem that keeps getting worse, not better," 2015

The problem is that WMATA's fares are getting to a ceiling point, with long trips having a peak fare of around $6 plus bus fare if applicable or parking fees.

Even short distance trips aren't that cheap.

And except how bus trips between systems involve no additional fare, the transit pass products had been pretty expensive, compared to cities like San Francisco and New York City.


Poster promoting new rider-friendlier transit pass product pricing, WMATA/Metrorail, DC.

This results from the fact that Metrorail is a hybrid, a longer distance commuter railroad married with a shorter distance subway system simultaneously serving the urban core, denser suburban areas, and more deconcentrated suburban areas.

But in last year's budget process, given the drop in ridership, WMATA proposed a number of pro-rider changes to pass products, including even a price reduction for four different pass products including the bus pass, and the addition of free bus service to subway pass products.

They went into effect yesterday ("WMATA adding more service, more affordable pass products," Metro Magazine).

That's a big win.

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From an equity standpoint, the next step would be for local jurisdictions to create discounted fare cards based on income, such as what is done in San Francisco and Seattle, and more recently in New York City (where it is still being implemented).

E.g., in SF, a low income transit fare card is half price.

And in cities like London, where there is automatic incrementing of fares til you reach a cap, you could have a separate low income transit fare card that starts out "pay as you go" and once you reach the cost of the card the rest of the trips wouldn't involve payment til the next fare card period starts.

Edmonton is talking about implementing such a process.