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I think this post makes a strong case for keeping Metro's distance-based fare structure essentially as-is. But it seems to me that there is one thing that could potentially help D.C. residents and visitors alike sort through the confusing fares and charts which I don't think I have ever heard brought up in these discussions: a new fare-collection system -- specifically, new fare machines that would act a lot more like the ticket machines on, say, the commuter railroads in the New York City area than Metro's current, outdated machines with a single LED display. Why aren't there touch-screen displays (or something similar) where riders can enter their destination station and it automatically brings up the correct fare? You could potentially add additional options, such as round-trip fare or parking fees. And because when you're riding Metro round-trip you may not always know the time of your return trip -- and whether it would be during the higher-fare peak or peak-of-the-peak periods -- perhaps the system could place a slightly larger hold on your credit or debit card and then charge for your actual fare at the end of the day or when you've exited a parking facility (since, presumably, you wouldn't be coming back to ride Metro again that day). You know, sort of like how hotels, some gas stations, and other businesses place holds on credit and debit cards to account for additional charges.

by Dustin on Apr 19, 2012 9:55 am • link • report