A software glitch — the latest in a series of technology-related bungles — caused problems for drivers trying to leave Metro parking lots and cost the transit agency half a million dollars, according to Metro’s most recent financial report.
The parking problems started when the installation of new SmarTrip fare gate software caused the card readers at parking lot exit gates to malfunction.
“Following the installation of updated fare collection software (referred to as Next Fare 5) in late July at Metro parking facilities across the system, gates at some facilities began to malfunction,” Metro spokeswoman Angela Gates said in an e-mail.
Metro customers reported problems leaving the transit agency’s parking lots using their SmarTrip cards, which forced parking lot attendants to leave exit gates open for hours at a time, foregoing much-needed revenue.
Metro operates parking lots at 42 of its rail stations, and 35 of those lots require SmarTrip funds as payment. The other seven accept only credit cards and SmarTrip cards — no cash. Drivers can enter any of the parking lots, but cannot leave without swiping a card at the fare gate card readers.
According to Gates, the software malfunction occurred at roughly 18 parking lots. Metro repair crews weren’t able to completely fix the problem until Aug. 24.
The cash-conscious transit agency finished the month $500,000 below its budget for SmarTrip and credit card parking revenue.
A nearly identical issue involving SmarTrip card readers occurred at the same time inside Metro stations, where customer reported fare gate malfunctions.
Long lines formed at Metro stations in early August when customers ran into fare gates that were slow to open or just plain broken.
Metro officials told The Washington Examiner at the time that the malfunctions occurred as the transit agency completed a systemwide software upgrade installation.
“It seems too coincidental that all of the little issues of swiping cards and everything would be happening at the same time,” Metro spokesman Reggie Woodruff said at the time.
Gates confirmed that a software upgrade was to blame for the August fare gate issues, but said Metro was still working to determine how much money was lost as a result of the technology glitch.
Metro buses also have experienced software malfunctions, which have cost the agency hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost fare revenue when the SmarTrip readers don’t work.
