WMATA proposing to integrate passes into Smartrip cards

[79MetroExtraMD]

Thanks for that link, 79ME.  For comparison, the weekly pass was $10...no savings at all.

This is WMATA were talking about. Usually the idea behind a pass is to save a percentage off the regular fare per day. If the monthly was $35, then it'd be worth it. Typical WMATA logic.

[Tristan]

Thanks for that link, 79ME.  For comparison, the weekly pass was $10...no savings at all.

This is WMATA were talking about. Usually the idea behind a pass is to save a percentage off the regular fare per day. If the monthly was $35, then it'd be worth it. Typical WMATA logic.

To clarify - I meant no savings at all over the 280day pass.

As to it being $30 -- If you factor 20 workdays a month, that's 40 trips or $50 a month in bus fare.  A $35 pass would be $15/mo savings.  I wonder if WMATA could stomach that kind of loss?

[Scrabbleship]

Now that you mention it, it made little sense to buy a monthly when it cost the same as four weeklies.

A Metrobus monthly would have to be $40 at most to succeed if the weeklies hold steady at $11. There has to be some incentive and if that means having to price it at $35 so be it.

A combination of a bus pass and a short-trip Metro pass, on both a monthly and weekly basis, would sell like GANGBUSTERS. Make it $25/week or $80/month (or, for a full bus/Metro pass, $35/week, $110/month) and people WOULD buy it in droves.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Now that you mention it, it made little sense to buy a monthly when it cost the same as four weeklies.

A Metrobus monthly would have to be $40 at most to succeed if the weeklies hold steady at $11. There has to be some incentive and if that means having to price it at $35 so be it.

A combination of a bus pass and a short-trip Metro pass, on both a monthly and weekly basis, would sell like GANGBUSTERS. Make it $25/week or $80/month (or, for a full bus/Metro pass, $35/week, $110/month) and people WOULD buy it in droves.

I'm kinda skeptical about having a combo Metrobus/Metrorail pass. They have them seperate for those who only take bus and those who take rail frequently. How would you figure in rush hour fare stages and off peak stages alongside the distance based fares plus Metrobus base fare per day. Also, what about the Transit Link Cards? They provide alot of savings per month and can be used on bus, Metrorail, and MARC/VRE.

[Tristan]

Now that you mention it, it made little sense to buy a monthly when it cost the same as four weeklies.

A Metrobus monthly would have to be $40 at most to succeed if the weeklies hold steady at $11. There has to be some incentive and if that means having to price it at $35 so be it.

A combination of a bus pass and a short-trip Metro pass, on both a monthly and weekly basis, would sell like GANGBUSTERS. Make it $25/week or $80/month (or, for a full bus/Metro pass, $35/week, $110/month) and people WOULD buy it in droves.

That'd be nice but let's be for real.  Our suggestions will never be heard if they aren't economically realistic.  $40 is realistic, even $44 is good because it means I don't have to go anywhere every week, or at most, every two weeks (two weeklies are usually available at one time).  Just the convenience would help.

The pass system right now is incompatible with common sense and should be revamped, with this I do agree.  Combined rail and bus passes were a frequent request when I sold passes but they should only be one of many options as many people only take one or the other.  Maybe I'll post an ideal pass structure for review and comment based on what I know to be some of the issues with passes.