Date:  February 27, 2014
From: Metro News Release

SmartBenefits® can now be used for transit passes, Metro announces

Upgrade offers riders whose employers opt-in more options, savings

Previously, SmartBenefits funds were loaded onto a rider’s SmarTrip card and the value could only be used to ride Metro on a pay-per-trip basis.

“We heard from riders that they want to use their commuter benefits to purchase bus and rail passes too,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “Using unlimited passes may be a cost-saving option for some riders, because the more you ride, the more you save.”

For SmartBenefits® recipients that commute to work twice a day, five days a week and also use Metro on the weekends, using their SmartBenefits® to purchase Metro passes can provide cost savings. For maximum convenience, customers can use Auto Reload to add passes to SmarTrip® cards on a recurring basis.

Metro offers a variety of unlimited passes, including:

7-Day Fast Pass ($57.50) - On a SmarTrip® card, this pass allows for seven consecutive days of unlimited Metrorail travel.
7-Day Short Trip Pass ($35) - On a SmarTrip® card, this pass allows for seven consecutive days of unlimited Metrorail rides up to $3.50 when peak fares are in effect. There is no charge for rail trips at other times, such as middays and weekends. If you take a trip at rush hour valued at more than $3.50, you only pay the difference from your SmarTrip® value on the card.
7-Day Regional Bus Pass ($16) - On a SmarTrip® card, this pass allows for seven consecutive days of unlimited bus travel on Metrobus and many other local carriers, such as ART, DASH, Ride On and TheBus.

Click here for more information.