Student Subsidized Transit Passes Now Online With DC One Card

Elementary, middle school and high school students at District of Columbia Public Schools and participating charter and private schools can now buy subsidized student transit passes online using their D.C. One Card, a District Department of Transportation release announced on Monday. 

The D.C. One Card replaced metro passes in 2011 and has been rolled out to District schools over the years. 

And now with the card, unlimited monthly metrorail and bus, 10-trip bus and 10-trip metrorail passes are all available for purchase with a debit or credit card on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website. They can also still be bought at any metro sales offices or approved retailers, DDOT said. 

A unlimited monthly pass costs $30, a 10-trip metrorail pass is $9.50 and a 10-trip bus pass is $7.50. 

Here's how to buy online, from DDOT: 

• Students must first register their DC One Card at the link and verify their eligibility for the program.  

• Second, students must create a SmarTrip account through the WMATA website at this link. 

• DC Student Rail transit passes will be available for use two business days after the on-line purchase and the discounted 10-trip bus pass will be available for use three business days after the purchase online.

According to DDOT, all D.C. public schools, as well as many charter and private schools, participate in the transit subsidy program. 

Students in grades from six to 12 automatically receive a DC One Card in school but other students can order a card at any DC One Card customer service center. 

Find more information on the subsidized student transit program at the DDOT website.