Metrorail riders shelled out a minimum of 30 cents more for their rush-hour rides Monday, reacting to the first work day of the biggest rate increase in Metro history with a combination of dismay and resignation.
“It’s ridiculous, because Metro doesn’t deliver the services,” said T.J. Sesay, whose daily commute from the Pentagon Blue Line station to downtown jumped from $1.40 to $1.70. “I don’t mind if the service is consistently good, but it isn’t.”
Rush-hour fares rose Monday from a minimum of $1.35 to a minimum of $1.65, with the maximum fare climbing from $3.90 to $4.50.
Others shrugged off the rate increase — the first since 2004 — but acknowledged that they might feel the effects later.
“I know it went up, but I didn’t notice it yet — it didn’t seem to be that much,” said Frank Bryceland, who travels daily between the Pentagon station and McPherson Square.
Lori Bedding, who works at a bank on 16th Street, said she was more bothered by train overcrowding and long wait times than she was by the increase.
“The rate hasn’t changed all that much,” she said, noting her one-way commute from Suitland climbed from $2.40 to $2.70. “My employer gives us money for Metro fare, but they aren’t raising the amount they give us. It hasn’t hit my pocketbook yet this month, but when it does, I’ll be out here complaining with the rest of them.”
Most riders weren’t upset enough to pick up their phones — Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said the transit agency had received about 70 calls about fares by 5 p.m. Monday, mostly concerning a Metrobus glitch that resulted in some SmarTrip card users being charged full fares for bus transfers.
That glitch was expected to be fixed by this morning, Taubenkibel said. The agency was looking into refunding those affected.
