Do you ride MARC or VRE? Does your employer provide you a transit benefit through WMATA? Is your employer switching from Metrocheks to SmartBenefits and SmarTrip cards that don't work on your train? If so, then there's a new solution for you.
The Commuter Stores and CommuterDirect.com have been working with VRE, MARC and WMATA to help. The solution? The SmartBenefits Personal Account. It allows you to designate your SmartBenefits to purchases for your tickets at either The Commuter Stores or CommuterDirect.com. If your employer is a member of WMATA's SmartBenefits program then this will be easy. 
Why is this happening? At the beginning of the year as part of a cost-cutting move, WMATA told employers enrolled in it's Metrochek program that 60% of their purchases would now need to be made via SmartBenefits rather than Metrocheks. The move from paper Metrocheks to electronic SmartBenefits and SmarTrip Cards saves money. Since MARC and VRE haven't gone to SmarTrip cards yet, that leaves their riders stuck in the middle. Enter the SmartBenefits Personal Account - brought to you by CommuterDirect.com and The Commuter Stores - solution.
Everybody wins. WMATA saves money. VRE and MARC don't have to implement costly solutions for dealing with SmarTrip Cards. And VRE and MARC customers can continue to use their tickets.
All riders need to do is go to CommuterDirect.com and click on SmartBenefits. Then choose how you'd like to receive your train tickets - either in person at The Commuter Stores or delivered to your home or office via CommuterDirect.com. There's plenty of information at the site, including a Frequently Asked Questions page. And if you need additional help, the friendly folks at the CommuterDirect.com Call Center (703.228-RIDE) will help you through the process. It's that easy.
Happy commuting VRE and MARC riders!
P.S. And for employers, there's always been a solution to the paper ticket vs. SmarTrip card dilemma. It's called CommuterDirect.com Corporate Services. Employers can designate SmarTrip card benefits or paper tickets for each employee. Very easy. WMATA's system doesn't do that. Check it out.
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.
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