Metro Considering Raising Fares, Offering Free Rides For Minors

WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Metro is considering raising fares and offering free rides to minors, according to materials it will present to the WMATA Board of Directors Finance and Capital Committee on Thursday.

According to its fare strategy presentation, Metro is considering raising fares by just over 11%, what it calls an "inflation-based increase." This would result in fares starting at $2.50 per trip and reaching a maximum of $7.50. It is also considering changing parking fees to reflect lot usage rates.

Fares currently run from $2.25 to $6.75.

The system also says it could offer free trips to children up to 18 years old if it gets $3.5 million more in funding from both Virginia and Maryland. It presents the free youth trips as a way to give young people more access to schools and activities and to lower costs for families.

The service is presenting fare proposals for Fiscal Year 2028 to the WMATA Board of Directors Finance and Capital Committee on Thursday. Any proposed fare changes would need to be approved by the Board and would not take effect until July 2027, Metro told Patch.

Metro last raised fares in June 2024.

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