Reduced Fare Programs
Many transit authorities and/or providers offer reduced fare programs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. As well, veterans with a disability rating of 60% or greater may qualify for some transit provider reduced fare programs.
Participants who qualify should consider enrolling in a reduced fare program offered by their mode of transit and submit with reduced fare price points when certifying their commuting expenses in their DoD mass transit benefit application submission.
If not yet enrolled in a reduced fare program, or in the process of doing so, entries may be entered at full fare. Upon enrollment in a reduced fare program, a change application should be submitted reflecting the reduced fares. Monthly claim entries funding monthly transit requirements should always be submitted regardless of changes in eligibility, funding request, or an in-progress application submission.
The reduced fare program initiative is intended to save taxpayers’ money.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) SmarTrip® and the Single Account Restriction
WMATA limits SmarTrip® users to one registered reduced fare account. MTBP transit benefits load to a physical Senior SmarTrip® card, mobile Senior SmarTrip®, or Reduced Fare ID SmarTrip® account. Management of transit benefits when restricted to a single account requires an understanding of how transit funds are drawn down for fare payments when tapping to a bus fare box or to the metro rail turn stiles.
All claimed transit benefits not allocated to a 3rd party (i.e., VRE, Vanpool, MARC Train, Vanpool, MTA Commuter Bus, OmniRide Monthly Pass, etc.) load to a programmed transit “purse” and debited at a bus fare box or when scanned at a metro rail turn stile. Participant personal funds (if loaded) are programmed into a “stored value” purse and debited for parking fees or when transit funds are depleted. Transit funds are always debited first whether commuting for work-related or for personal travel. It is the employee’s responsibility to manage their federal transit benefits and maintain enrollment and balances accurate to the total cost of the monthly home to duty station round trip costs. SmarTrip® accounts do not distinguish between personal or work-related travel fare payments. Prudent management minimizes the use of federal transit funding for personal travel and allows reduced fares to be enjoyed using personal stored value funds. Alternatively, for both full fare and reduced fare participants, a secondary full fare SmarTrip® may be used to maintain complete separation of personal and work fare payments.
Links to Major Providers:
- WMATA/Metro Rail and Bus Reduced Fare
Metro offers discounted rates for senior or disabled riders. A special SmarTrip® card must be obtained to receive the discounted rate. Eligibility requirements and instructions are detailed at the following links:
- Persons age 65 and older should obtain a yellow Senior SmarTrip® card.
- Persons with disabilities should obtain a Reduced Fare SmarTrip® Photo ID Card (upon reaching age 65, the Reduced Fare SmarTrip Photo ID Card should be exchanged for a Senior SmarTrip® card).
- To be eligible for MetroAccess service (visit the MetroAccess Paratransit page for more information), an applicant must:
- Have a disability as defined by the ADA and be unable to utilize the Metrobus and Metrorail system some or all of the time as a result of their disability.
- Need to use a ramp or wheelchair lift to board or exit a public transit vehicle, but an accessible public transit vehicle is not being used at the time, date, and on the route you would travel. (All Metrobuses are wheelchair accessible.)
- Be unable to travel to or from a bus stop or rail station due to a disability, or an accessible pathway to a bus stop or rail station is not available.
- Virginia Railway Express (VRE) – Reduced Fare
VRE offers a 50 percent discount for seniors and persons with disabilities. Reduced fare tickets may be purchased through VRE Mobile with a VRE issued reduced fare card.
- Seniors are defined as persons who are age 65 or older. Riders will need a VRE issued Reduced Fare ID to purchase discounted tickets.
- Persons with Disabilities - Anyone who is in possession of a current VRE Reduced Fare ID or valid Medicare Card. The application for the VRE Reduced Fare ID card needs to be filled out by both the rider and the rider’s physician.
- You cannot purchase reduced fare tickets at station platform Ticket Machines.
- Visit the VRE Reduced Fare page for more information.
- Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) – Reduced Fare
MTA is committed to providing a public transit system that everyone can use.
- CommuterDirect.com Users – VRE, MARC, MTA Commuter Bus (Dillon, Eyre, Keller) – Reduced Fare
CommuterDirect.com sells Discount Fare passes for Senior or Disabled riders. Eligibility requirements and instructions are detailed at the following link.
CommuterDirect Reduced Fare information
- OmniRide – Reduced Fare
OmniRide reduced fares are available only during non-peak hours (9:30 am to 3 pm and after 7 pm) on OmniRide Express buses.
Passengers with a WMATA Senior SmarTrip® card or Reduced Fare SmarTrip® ID can simply tap the card to the SmarTrip® target. The bus farebox will automatically deduct the reduced fare, if applicable.
Visit the OmniRide Fares and Transfers page for specific fare information. A significant cost savings may also be realized by participants purchasing the OmniRide Monthly Pass.
All others, please check with your specific transportation provider.
Note: If you qualify for a reduced fare with one transportation provider of your commute but not another, please include a statement in the application’s comment section (below the expense worksheet) or call and talk with an analyst to assist in completing your submission.