WMATA news release:
Metro releases limited-edition Pope Francis SmarTrip® commemorative sleeve
In honor of the Papal visit, Metro will offer a limited-edition SmarTrip® commemorative sleeve to anyone purchasing a SmarTrip® card at Metro Sales Offices starting Monday. The protective sleeve features a prominent picture of Pope Francis, marking his three-day visit to Washington, D.C. Tuesday, September 22, through Thursday, September 24.
The commemorative sleeves will be available starting Monday while supplies last. Metro Sales Offices locations and hours are:
Metro Headquarters (Main Entrance)
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Open Weekdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Metro Center Sales Office
12th and F Street, NW
(Metro Center station)
Washington, DC 20005
Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Bulk Sales pick-up only Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Metro Pentagon Sales Office
Pentagon Transit Center
Upper level bus bay
Arlington, VA 22202
Open Weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Northern Metrobus Garage
4615 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metro Anacostia Sales Office
Anacostia Metrorail Station, Mezzanine Level, Bus Bay Exit
1101 Howard Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Any remaining Papal SmarTrip® sleeves will be distributed during the Papal visit at selected stations near events.
Metro strongly encourages customers planning to attend Papal events to purchase SmarTrip® cards in advance to avoid potentially long lines at station vending machines. Each person must have his or her own SmarTrip® or paper farecard, and Metro strongly recommends loading sufficient value to pay for all planned travel.
Pope Francis’ historic visit is expected to draw large crowds to various events across D.C. Metro will run trains at near rush-hour service levels all day Wednesday and throughout the day Thursday until the end of evening rush hour. Even with the additional service, riders attending Papal events should expect crowds, delays and long lines. Riders may need to wait an extended period – possibly hours – before re-entering the system at certain stations near events.
For complete details about Metro's plans for the Papal visit, please visit wmata.com/papalvisit.
News release issued at 4:30 pm, September 20, 2015.
