Metro is soon going to require riders have at least $1.20 on their SmarTrip cards to enter the rail system. Currently riders can enter through the faregates even if they have zero money on their plastic farecards. But as of Sept. 1, the agency is going to require the minimum amount. Those using a senior/disabled SmarTrip card will need at least 35 cents. Metro said it is changing the policy so plastic farecards are consistent with paper farecards. However, riders will still be allowed to go negative on their cards once in the system — for now. But the agency is planning to eliminate that feature in the future, too. – Kytja Weir
