From DDOT:
“Today, the District Department of Transportation and its six partner jurisdictions announced a new partnership between Capital Bikeshare, operated by Lyft, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) to incentivize riders to use clean transportation options. Metrobus and Metrorail riders who purchase a virtual SmarTrip card or transfer their physical, plastic SmarTrip card to mobile pay on Android, iPhone or Apple Watch will receive ten 30-minute classic rides on Capital Bikeshare, valid for 30 days. The promotion is also good for riders with an existing virtual SmarTrip card.
“We are really excited to partner with WMATA on this initiative to connect Capital Bikeshare customers to other forms of public transit seamlessly,” said Acting DDOT Director Everett Lott. “With a Capital Bikeshare station at every WMATA station, we are so much closer to Mayor Bowser’s goal of ensuring residents across all eight wards have access to some form of transportation within steps of their front doors.”
As the Washington region continues to reopen, this initiative provides commuters returning to the office with multiple fast, convenient and affordable transportation options that will help reduce both traffic congestion and carbon emissions. The program will run from August 1 through December 31, 2021, to help give riders a new way to commute to work, visit cultural institutions and more as the region continues to reopen.
“We welcome riders back and together with Capital Bikeshare, Metro is making it easier for riders to connect to the system and pay their fare,” said Metro Senior Vice President of Customer Service Lynn Bowersox. “With a virtual SmarTrip card on your phone offering a contactless way to pay, riders can go anywhere Metro will take you.”
The virtual SmarTrip card provides Metrorail and Metrobus riders a “touch-free” experience and a safer, more convenient way to pay. Riders do not need to touch card readers or vending machines, and can quickly and seamlessly pass through fare gates with their mobile device. The promotion is open to residents of the Capital Bikeshare member jurisdictions: DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County. Riders will be able to opt-in to the free Capital Bikeshare ride promotion on the Metro website and can activate the rides on either a Capital Bikeshare or Lyft account. The rides are free for 30-minute pedal bike rides and riders can upgrade to a Capital Bikeshare e-bike for an additional $1.
The program simulates the experience of a membership and encourages riders to use bikeshare alongside Metrorail and Metrobus. According to the 2020 Lyft Multimodal Report that was published this past March, 41% of Capital Bikeshare riders already use public transit on a weekly basis and 34% said they have used bikeshare to connect to transit.”