Metro wants to add credit card machines at the exits of its 37 parking facilities in hopes of appeasing frustrated commuters and confused tourists.
The plan, expected to get initial approval early next month, would let customers use credit cards instead of having to purchase a $5 SmarTrip card — currently the only way to exit Metro-operated lots.
Metro introduced the cashless SmarTrip system in 2004 after parking lot employees were accused of bilking the transit agency of a sum that may have reached hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Metro interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini said Tuesday that the move is part of a systemwide effort to improve customer service.
“These are some of the simple and relatively inexpensive things we can do to make our customers’ trips that much easier,” Tangherlini said.
Dawn Seider, of Chantilly, said she would welcome the change.
“I left my SmarTrip card sitting on my dresser … and had to buy another one,” Seider said at the Vienna station last week. “It would have been nice to have that option.”
Metro officials estimate that it will cost $600,000 to install the new machines. The costs would be covered by a $1 surcharge imposed on credit card users.
Metro is also proposing a 25-cents-a-day increase for nonmetered daily spaces and up to a $2-a-day increase for metered spaces.
Under the plan, Metro would also replace up to half of all seven-hour meters with 12-hour meters. And Metro officials will also allow up to 30 percent of all spaces to be set aside for reserved customers.
By the numbers
» Metro has 36 parking facilities — 23 in Maryland, eight in Virginia and five in the District.
» Metro has more than 61,000 parking spots across the system.
» Parking fees bring in nearly $40 million annually.
» Metro is the region’s largest parking provider.
