SmarTrip ® Accepted On PRTC’s Buses
Starting March 3, 2008

Read on to learn all about using SmarTrip cards on PRTC’s buses.  The SmarTrip brochure is also available for download as a handy reference guide.

Welcome to SmarTrip!

Starting March 3, 2008, you can use SmarTrip fare cards on all PRTC buses.  With a single rechargeable SmarTrip farecard, you can travel throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.  Having one farecard makes bus and train transfers easy, and with SmarTrip there’s no need to carry bus tokens or worry about having exact change for your fare.

How Do I Pay My Fare?

• Each passenger must have their own SmarTrip card.
• Simply touch your SmarTrip card to the SmarTrip target on top of the electronic farebox.  The appropriate fare will be automatically deducted from your card. 
• Passengers may continue to pay with cash ($1, $5, $10 or $20 bills and coins - no pennies)
• OmniRide and Metro Direct tokens will be accepted for fares through May 2, 2008.
• OmniLink paper tokens will continue to be accepted for fares until further notice.

How Much Is My Fare?

PRTC’s bus fares will not change – SmarTrip fares will replace token fares on OmniRide and Metro Direct buses.  Reduced fares must be paid with cash or a WMATA-issued Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card.  Local Bus Day Passes and OmniLink Off-route Surcharges cannot be paid for with SmarTrip cards and must be paid for with cash.

*Reduced fares are available all day on OmniLink and the Cross County Connector buses, and available on OmniRide and Metro Direct buses during non-peak hours only, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.

Will I Still Qualify For Reduced Fares?

Reduced fare qualifications will not change.  You qualify for reduced fares on PRTC buses if you are at least 60 years old, or if you have a disability or a valid Medicare card.  However, the qualifying age for senior discounts on other regional transit systems might be different. Check with them before your trip.  Riders eligible for reduced fares on PRTC buses must pay with cash or a WMATA-issued Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card.

If you have a WMATA-issued Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card –
Simply tap your card to the SmarTrip target.  The farebox on PRTC buses and on all other regional carriers will automatically deduct the reduced fare.  To obtain a Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card, please call (202) 962-1558 or visit this page on Metro’s website: www.wmata.com/accessibility/fares.cfm.

How Do I Make a Transfer?

When making a transfer, whether PRTC to PRTC bus or between a PRTC bus and another regional transit provider, the electronic farebox will calculate and automatically deduct the correct fare from your SmarTrip card.  Transfers must be completed within 2 hours of boarding to receive credit.  All PRTC transfer rules apply, including:

• No local bus to local bus transfer credit, except between the PRTC Transit Center and Potomac Mills Mall – operator will issue a paper transfer.
• No credit will be given when transferring between PRTC buses and Metrorail.

Where Can I Get a SmarTrip Card?

Your SmarTrip card will cost $5 to purchase.  Some sales locations sell cards with pre-loaded amounts already on them; therefore, the cost would be $5 plus the pre-loaded amount.  You may purchase a SmarTrip card at:

• The PRTC Transit Center (14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA)
• Starting February 11, 2008, weekdays 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 19 & 26, 2008 and May 31, 2008 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• These Giant grocery stores in Manassas (and other locations in the DC Metro area).
• Westgate Plaza, 8025 Sudley Road
• Manassas Junction, 8819 Centerville Road
• Wellington Station, 10100 Dumfries Road
• Vending machines in Metro stations with large parking facilities, including Franconia – Springfield, West Falls Church and Vienna Metro Stations.
• Online at SmarTrip.com or CommuterPage.com.
• Metro sales offices and commuter stores (see list in schedule brochures).   For locations, call (888) 762-7874 or visit SmarTrip.com.

How Do I Add Money To My SmarTrip Card?

To load value on the bus:

• Before you tap your card to the target, push the ADD VALUE button on the farebox.  (If you touch the card to the target prior to pushing the ADD VALUE button, the farebox will deduct your fare).
• Touch your card to the SmarTrip target.
• Insert cash $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills or coins (no pennies) to load up to a maximum of $300 total value on the card.  To prevent delays, please limit on-board loading of your card to three bills.  Tokens cannot be used to add value to your SmarTrip card.
• Touch your card to the SmarTrip target again to upload the value.
• Touch your card once more to deduct the fare for your trip.

To load value at a Metrorail station using a Passes/Farecard machine, follow the machine instructions.  You may load value to your SmarTrip card using MetroCheks, Metrorail paper farecards, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), and ATM/debit cards. 

Between April 14 – May 31, 2008 you also may load value onto your SmarTrip card by exchanging your OmniRide and Metro Direct tokens at the PRTC Transit Center.  Bring your tokens and your SmarTrip card to our reception desk and ask for the value of your tokens to be transferred to your card. 

To check the available balance on your SmarTrip card, push the CHECK VALUE button before you tap the card to the target.  Your card balance will appear on the display.

How Can I Use My SmartBenefits?

Those receiving SmartBenefits – the electronically paid transit benefit provided by some employers --   can download their monthly benefit to their registered SmarTrip card at Metrorail stations using a Passes/Farecard machine.  Visit SmarTrip.com for more information on downloading benefits.

How Do I Register My Card?

SmarTrip cards must be registered in order to receive SmartBenefits or to have value from a lost, stolen, or damaged card transferred to a new card.  To register your card, visit SmarTrip.com.  If you purchased your card online or by mail, it is already registered.

What If I Have a Problem With My SmarTrip Card?

SmarTrip Activation Timeline

Learn more about SmarTrip and SmartBenefits:

(888) 762-7874
Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SmarTrip -- www.SmarTrip.com

SmartBenefits -- www.MetroOpensDoors.com