For immediate release: January 6, 2017

Presidential Inaugural Committee, Metro announce commemorative SmarTrip® sleeve and encourage Inauguration attendees to purchase SmarTrip® online in advance

SmarTrip card and sleeve image

Contact for Presidential Inaugural Committee:
PIC Press Office  press@58PIC2017.org

The 2017 Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and Metro today announced a special SmarTrip® sleeve to commemorate the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the nation's 45th president. The commemorative sleeves will be distributed at selected Metro stations, free of charge, on the morning of Inauguration Day.

In addition, the PIC and Metro are encouraging those planning to attend the Inauguration to purchase their Metro Inaugural SmarTrip cards online in advance to avoid long lines on January 20. The sleeve design features  an image of the President Elect provided by the PIC and includes its inaugural  theme, "Make America Great Again."

“The Presidential Inaugural Committee has worked closely with Metro on a commemorative sleeve honoring President-elect Trump’s inauguration. The sleeve will be distributed free of charge on Inauguration Day, January 20th,” said PIC Communications Director Boris Epshteyn. “Americans from every corner of this country will be coming to Washington, D.C. for inaugural events, and we encourage everyone attending to take advantage of the discounted price of the Metro one-day pass and purchase their inaugural SmarTrip card in the next week to avoid the expected wait times.”

Metro and the PIC are encouraging everyone planning to take Metro to the Inauguration to purchase a SmarTrip card in advance before the cutoff date of January 13. Each rider age 5 or older needs his or her own SmarTrip card to enter and exit the Metrorail system. The Commemorative Inaugural Card – available at wmata.com for a discounted price of $10 – allows for unlimited travel on Metrorail or Metrobus on January 20, 2017.

"Our goal is to get as many Inauguration fare cards into circulation as possible so our visitors can skip the lines and head right for the train or bus," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "We encourage everyone coming to the Inauguration to purchase their SmarTrip card online." 

Group organizers interested in purchasing 25 or more cards may call Metro's bulk sales office (202) 962-5700 for assistance. 

There is no track work planned during Inauguration week, from January 14 through 21, to allow Metro to offer extra service to Inauguration events. On January 20, Metrorail will open early at 4:00 a.m. with near rush-hour service on all lines until 9 p.m.

Metro will produce 50,000 of the commemorative sleeves and distribute them to Inauguration attendees on the morning of January 20 at the following popular boarding stations:

  • Vienna  
  • New Carrollton
  • Franconia - Springfield
  • Shady Grove
  • Greenbelt
  • Largo Town Center
  • Branch Avenue
  • Glenmont
  • Wiehle-Reston East
  • Pentagon City
In addition, sleeves will be available from Station Managers at Union Station, Metro Center and Gallery Place.

The sleeves will be distributed free of charge, one to a customer, while supplies last on the morning of January 20. Any remaining commemorative sleeves will be available after January 20 at Metro's sales office, located at 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC. Metro will advise the public of any remaining supply via social media.

About the 2017 Commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip Card

  • The Commemorative Card is valid for unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus trips on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017.
  • Each rider, five years and older, must have his or her own SmarTrip card to use Metro.
  • Riders can load cash value or passes onto the Commemorative Card and use it like any other SmarTrip card on dates other than January 20, 2017.
  • The Commemorative Card does not include parking fees, which will be charged on Inauguration Day. If parking at a Metrorail facility, Metro recommends paying with a credit card (no extra fee will be charged if a credit card is used on Inauguration Day).

SmarTrip card sleeve image