No More Free Metro Rides During VRE Delays: Report

Next month, Metro will no longer offer free rides to Virginia Railway Express riders during service disruptions, the agency announced Monday.

Currently, Metro allows these riders to show a valid VRE ticket to the Metrorail station manager and enter through the emergency gates and ride for free. Under the new policy, VRE riders will need to pay for Metro rides using a SmarTrip card. The policy applies to MARC riders in Maryland as well.

"The 'Metro Option' had been an informal courtesy extended by Metro that was carried forward over time," said Metro in a statement. "However, there was no process for Metro to properly track or seek reimbursement for the cost of these trips, nor any agreement between MARC/VRE and Metro to govern the program."

Station managers will keep emergency gates secured under the new policy. Metro urges MARC and VRE riders to carry a SmarTrip card with them in the event of a MARC or VRE service disruption.

VRE responded in a statement saying, "We understand and support WMATA’s efforts to improve their system, including this initiative that aims to decrease fare evasion and customer conflicts. WMATA’s change also impacts MARC riders, and VRE is committed to working with MARC and WMATA for a long-term, regional solution allowing us to add the Metro Option back to our resources during service disruptions."

This year also brought the introduction of a higher parking fee at some Metro-owned lots for VRE riders and others not paying with a SmarTrip Card. For example, the weekday $8.95 fee at the Franconia-Springfield station applies for anyone paying with a credit card or a SmarTrip card not used for a Metro ride.

Image via Patch editor Emily Leayman