A concept I have been working on is how to solve the issue of a lack of interday travel on WMATA systems similar to that of NYC and Chicago. The key is to use the areas of density that we do have, that do see some intracity travel and to encourage those regions with cost competitive pricing. I have found a way to make these TOD districts, removing the 1.60 minimum fare, while keeping fares from commuter stations (Vienna, New Carrollton, Branch Ave, etc) basically the same. The new TODs would be Arlington and DC TOD (the densest portion of DC) and possibly in the future Bethesda. These TODs would have a flat fare for intertravel of $0.25 and $0.50 respectively and could get people out of cars in non-peak hours and into metro. The revenue in our second scenario maintains revenue at current levels and does not effect commuters substantially.
http://thetysonscorner.com/blog/rethinking-wmata-rail-fare-structure/ (http://thetysonscorner.com/blog/rethinking-wmata-rail-fare-structure/)