Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Smartrip shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Smartrip offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Smartrip at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Smartrip? Wrong! If the Smartrip is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Smartrip then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Smartrip? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Smartrip and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Smartrip wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Smartrip then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Smartrip site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Smartrip, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Smartrip, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

SmarTrip card.

station. The SmarTrip target is the round object to the right.

station, equipped with SmarTrip targets.

station.

The SmarTrip card is a plastic contactless stored-value card smartcard used for payment within the Washington Metro system of Washington, D.C. Unlike traditional paper farecards, it is designed to be permanent and reloadable, and as of 2004 can be used in all Metrorail stations, and on all Metrobuses. Additionally, as of June 28, 2004, SmarTrip is the only way to pay for parking fees at Metro-operated lots. SmarTrip can also be used on the DC Circulator. Other regional bus systems in neighboring Virginia and Maryland have adopted SmarTrip readers due to its success on WMATA Metrobuses.

Overview SmarTrip cards are roughly the same size as a credit card or driver's license. The card is touched to a circular target on the top or side of each exit gate rather than inserted into a slot, affording some speed and convenience over the paper farecard. Additionally, it is usually not necessary to remove the card from a wallet or purse before touching the Smartrip target. In the Metrorail system, touching the card will display the value remaining as the faregate opens, both when entering and exiting. On Metrobuses, the farebox will audibly beep and display the value. In all cases, the appropriate fare is deducted automatically, accounting for any applicable transfers and discounts.

SmarTrip cards cost five dollars, and are available for purchase at Metro sales facilities at the Metro Center (Washington Metro) and Pentagon (Washington Metro) stations, from vending machines at most stations, and online. When purchased from station vending machines, the cards cost ten dollars, but come with five dollars' worth of fare preloaded on the card. SmarTrip cards are sold online for $30 ($5 for the card and $25 fare value). SmartTrip cards can be reloaded using farecard vending machines equipped with a SmarTrip target and can store up to $300 in value at one time.

Currently, all trips made with a SmarTrip card are charged as individual one-way fares. Customers making several trips in one day, or many trips in a seven-day period, must purchase a pass in the form of a paper farecard to benefit from the lowest fares. This is in contrast to the Oyster card system on the London Underground, for example, where fares are automatically capped to ensure that customers never pay more than the cost of a one-day pass each day.

As the Exit fare machines currently do not accept SmarTrip, riders with insufficient value to pay their fare are allowed to exit the system with a negative balance. This negative balance must, however, be paid before the card may be used again to enter the system. One may not exit a Metro parking facility with a negative balance on the SmarTrip card; the card must contain sufficient value to pay the full fee in order to exit the Metro parking lot.

A integrated circuit contained within the card stores its value, as well as the rider's most recent entry and exit points, and a unique identifier. However, the unique identifier is not linked to a person's name or identity, unless one registers their cards online. Registering SmarTrip cards allows one to recover the card balance value (minus the five-dollar cost for a new card), should the card be lost, stolen, or damaged. The unique identifier also allows workers enrolled in the SmartBenefits program to receive their monthly benefit automatically to their SmarTrip card.

SmarTrip cards have conditions of use and instructions on the back; on the front is a stylized picture of a railcar and a bus in front of representations of the Washington Monument, United States Capitol, and stylized versions of classical architecture found in Washington DC. The Metro logo appears in the bottom left.

The SmarTrip system was built and designed by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corporation.

Parking In a controversial move, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that as part of a new cashless parking payment system, SmarTrip would be the only way to pay for parking at Metro-operated garages and lots effective June 28, 2004, after reports of widespread theft of cash by Metro's parking contractor, Penn Parking.{{cite web to May 30, [ | url = http://thisweek.cua.edu/archive_view.cfm?issue=94 | title = "For Your Benefit: Metrorail SmarTrip Cards" | work = This Week @ CUA | publisher = Catholic University of America | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->This prompted cries that Metro was inconveniencing its many customers, including tourism and other infrequent users, who did not own a SmarTrip card. In response, Metro installed special SmarTrip card vending machines at all stations with parking facilities to make the cards more readily available. However, temporary shortages of cards were experienced immediately following the system's implementation.{{cite web | date = March 11, [ | url = http://content.wmata.com/board_gm/board_docs/031705_Agenda_Item_9.pdf | title = "Metro Electronic Action Document: New SmarTrip Parking Signage" | format = [PDF | publisher = [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->{{cite web | date = July 21, [ | url = http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=458&PrintFriendly=Y | title = "SmarTrip supply low as sales soar" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->

SmarTrip cards are not required for parking at Metro stations on weekends, holidays, and other special events, as parking fees are only charged on normal weekdays.{{cite web | url = http://www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip_for_parking_faqs.cfm | title = "SmarTrip for Parking FAQ" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->

In April 2007, in response to customer complaints about the limitations of parking payment options, WMATA began testing the use of credit cards to pay for parking at six Metro stations, avoiding the need for SmarTrip cards at these sites. The sites are Anacostia on the Green Line, Shady Grove on the Red Line, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and New Carrollton on the Orange Line, and Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center on the Blue Line.{{cite news | url = http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=57059 | title = Metro Unveils Credit Card Parking Lot Payment Pilot Program | work = WUSA9.com | publisher = [WUSA-TV | date = March 29, [ | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->Each has one exit lane that accepts credit card payments through a credit card reader next to the existing SmarTrip card target reader.{{cite web | url = http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/daily-parking.cfm | title = "Daily parking at Metro stations" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-09-29 -->

Participating systems | url = http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1634 | title = SmarTrip accepted on bus systems in Maryland and Virginia | publisher = WMATA | date = May 14, [ | accessdate = 2007-05-23 --> {{cite web | date = February 5, [ | url = http://www.dashbus.com/cgi-bin/dashnews.pl?view+nr_20070205121458+02/05/2007 | title = "Alexandria DASH Fleet Now Equipped with SmarTrip Fareboxes" | publisher = DASH: Alexandria Public Transit | accessdate = 2007-05-22 --> | date = May 2, [ | url = http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/smartrip.htm | title = "Smartrip Technology On Fairfax Connector Buses" | publisher = Fairfax County Government | accessdate = 2007-05-22 --> | date = | url = http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dpwt/transit/routesandschedules/pdffiles/smartrip_brochure.pdf | title = "SmarTrip on Ride On" brochure | format = [PDF | publisher = Montgomery County DPWT, Division of Transit Services | accessdate = 2007-05-22 -->

Upcoming participants | date = 2 April [ | url = http://www.prtctransit.org/myprtc/serviceupdates.php?docid=1175513349 | title = "Service Updates: New Electronic Fareboxes Coming Soon!" | work = PRTCTransit.org | publisher = [Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission | accessdate = 2007-05-23 -->

References External links

SmarTrip card.

station. The SmarTrip target is the round object to the right.

station, equipped with SmarTrip targets.

station.

The SmarTrip card is a plastic contactless stored-value card smartcard used for payment within the Washington Metro system of Washington, D.C. Unlike traditional paper farecards, it is designed to be permanent and reloadable, and as of 2004 can be used in all Metrorail stations, and on all Metrobuses. Additionally, as of June 28, 2004, SmarTrip is the only way to pay for parking fees at Metro-operated lots. SmarTrip can also be used on the DC Circulator. Other regional bus systems in neighboring Virginia and Maryland have adopted SmarTrip readers due to its success on WMATA Metrobuses.

Overview SmarTrip cards are roughly the same size as a credit card or driver's license. The card is touched to a circular target on the top or side of each exit gate rather than inserted into a slot, affording some speed and convenience over the paper farecard. Additionally, it is usually not necessary to remove the card from a wallet or purse before touching the Smartrip target. In the Metrorail system, touching the card will display the value remaining as the faregate opens, both when entering and exiting. On Metrobuses, the farebox will audibly beep and display the value. In all cases, the appropriate fare is deducted automatically, accounting for any applicable transfers and discounts.

SmarTrip cards cost five dollars, and are available for purchase at Metro sales facilities at the Metro Center (Washington Metro) and Pentagon (Washington Metro) stations, from vending machines at most stations, and online. When purchased from station vending machines, the cards cost ten dollars, but come with five dollars' worth of fare preloaded on the card. SmarTrip cards are sold online for $30 ($5 for the card and $25 fare value). SmartTrip cards can be reloaded using farecard vending machines equipped with a SmarTrip target and can store up to $300 in value at one time.

Currently, all trips made with a SmarTrip card are charged as individual one-way fares. Customers making several trips in one day, or many trips in a seven-day period, must purchase a pass in the form of a paper farecard to benefit from the lowest fares. This is in contrast to the Oyster card system on the London Underground, for example, where fares are automatically capped to ensure that customers never pay more than the cost of a one-day pass each day.

As the Exit fare machines currently do not accept SmarTrip, riders with insufficient value to pay their fare are allowed to exit the system with a negative balance. This negative balance must, however, be paid before the card may be used again to enter the system. One may not exit a Metro parking facility with a negative balance on the SmarTrip card; the card must contain sufficient value to pay the full fee in order to exit the Metro parking lot.

A integrated circuit contained within the card stores its value, as well as the rider's most recent entry and exit points, and a unique identifier. However, the unique identifier is not linked to a person's name or identity, unless one registers their cards online. Registering SmarTrip cards allows one to recover the card balance value (minus the five-dollar cost for a new card), should the card be lost, stolen, or damaged. The unique identifier also allows workers enrolled in the SmartBenefits program to receive their monthly benefit automatically to their SmarTrip card.

SmarTrip cards have conditions of use and instructions on the back; on the front is a stylized picture of a railcar and a bus in front of representations of the Washington Monument, United States Capitol, and stylized versions of classical architecture found in Washington DC. The Metro logo appears in the bottom left.

The SmarTrip system was built and designed by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corporation.

Parking In a controversial move, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that as part of a new cashless parking payment system, SmarTrip would be the only way to pay for parking at Metro-operated garages and lots effective June 28, 2004, after reports of widespread theft of cash by Metro's parking contractor, Penn Parking.{{cite web to May 30, [ | url = http://thisweek.cua.edu/archive_view.cfm?issue=94 | title = "For Your Benefit: Metrorail SmarTrip Cards" | work = This Week @ CUA | publisher = Catholic University of America | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->This prompted cries that Metro was inconveniencing its many customers, including tourism and other infrequent users, who did not own a SmarTrip card. In response, Metro installed special SmarTrip card vending machines at all stations with parking facilities to make the cards more readily available. However, temporary shortages of cards were experienced immediately following the system's implementation.{{cite web | date = March 11, [ | url = http://content.wmata.com/board_gm/board_docs/031705_Agenda_Item_9.pdf | title = "Metro Electronic Action Document: New SmarTrip Parking Signage" | format = [PDF | publisher = [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->{{cite web | date = July 21, [ | url = http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=458&PrintFriendly=Y | title = "SmarTrip supply low as sales soar" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->

SmarTrip cards are not required for parking at Metro stations on weekends, holidays, and other special events, as parking fees are only charged on normal weekdays.{{cite web | url = http://www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip_for_parking_faqs.cfm | title = "SmarTrip for Parking FAQ" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->

In April 2007, in response to customer complaints about the limitations of parking payment options, WMATA began testing the use of credit cards to pay for parking at six Metro stations, avoiding the need for SmarTrip cards at these sites. The sites are Anacostia on the Green Line, Shady Grove on the Red Line, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and New Carrollton on the Orange Line, and Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center on the Blue Line.{{cite news | url = http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=57059 | title = Metro Unveils Credit Card Parking Lot Payment Pilot Program | work = WUSA9.com | publisher = [WUSA-TV | date = March 29, [ | accessdate = 2007-06-13 -->Each has one exit lane that accepts credit card payments through a credit card reader next to the existing SmarTrip card target reader.{{cite web | url = http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/daily-parking.cfm | title = "Daily parking at Metro stations" | work = wmata.com | publisher = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | accessdate = 2007-09-29 -->

Participating systems | url = http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1634 | title = SmarTrip accepted on bus systems in Maryland and Virginia | publisher = WMATA | date = May 14, [ | accessdate = 2007-05-23 --> {{cite web | date = February 5, [ | url = http://www.dashbus.com/cgi-bin/dashnews.pl?view+nr_20070205121458+02/05/2007 | title = "Alexandria DASH Fleet Now Equipped with SmarTrip Fareboxes" | publisher = DASH: Alexandria Public Transit | accessdate = 2007-05-22 --> | date = May 2, [ | url = http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/smartrip.htm | title = "Smartrip Technology On Fairfax Connector Buses" | publisher = Fairfax County Government | accessdate = 2007-05-22 --> | date = | url = http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dpwt/transit/routesandschedules/pdffiles/smartrip_brochure.pdf | title = "SmarTrip on Ride On" brochure | format = [PDF | publisher = Montgomery County DPWT, Division of Transit Services | accessdate = 2007-05-22 -->

Upcoming participants | date = 2 April [ | url = http://www.prtctransit.org/myprtc/serviceupdates.php?docid=1175513349 | title = "Service Updates: New Electronic Fareboxes Coming Soon!" | work = PRTCTransit.org | publisher = [Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission | accessdate = 2007-05-23 -->

References External links



 

Smartrip



 
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