Now's the time to prepare for Inauguration

December 22, 2:53 PMDC Transportation ExaminerKatherine M. Hill

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Are you (still) planning for Inauguration Day in advance? You'd better. The Frederick News-Post reported this weekend that Marylanders stood in long lines for their MARC tickets. Do you sense the panic? Here are a few updates and general announcements:

Metro's begun by testing eight car trains, which will accommodate an additional 300 passengers on the big day. Metro is also now offering its commemorative SmartTrip card; the card will cost $10 (you can purchase the card without money on it for $10 or pay $20 for an additional pre-loaded $10). The cards also available online in addition to Metro sales offices. There is also a special (expensive) $10 one-day pass for Inauguration Day.

Metro has also announced that it will use its Rosa Park bus in the parade. The MTA GMC bus was donated to Metro in 1990 and restored in 2003.

Don't forget! Parking will be $4 on Inauguration Day and Metro will offer rush hour service...and fares. Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow Line) and Smithsonian (Blue/Orange) stations will be closed, as will all station restrooms. Metrobus routes will be rerouted around the parade route and much of the city, so anticipate longer rides.

 There's more to SmartTrip than the aforementioned special cards. From DCist:

Starting tomorrow, regular SmarTrip cards will be available for purchase at most CVS stores in the immediate D.C. area. Metro has reached an agreement with 190 CVS stores in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to sell SmarTrip for $10 each, with $5 already loaded on the card. More details available here. Only regular SmarTrip cards, and not commemorative cards, will be sold at the CVS stores. Want to check to see if your closest CVS will carry the cards? Follow this link for a searchable list, and keep an eye out for a decal that says "SmarTrip sold here" that should be posted on the door of each participating store.

Exciting! I like having these cards more accessible. (I'm not a big fan of CVS, but, I'm going to hold my breath and let it go. For now.)