DC: Metro Unveils New Smithsonian's National Zoo 125th Anniversary Limited Edition SmarTrip Cards

June 27, 2014
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is celebrating 125 years of welcoming visitors from all over the world to one of Washington’s most popular tourist destinations, and Metro is joining in the fun by offering four limited-edition Zoo Anniversary SmarTrip Cards.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is celebrating 125 years of welcoming visitors from all over the world to one of Washington’s most popular tourist destinations, and Metro is joining in the fun by offering four limited-edition Zoo Anniversary SmarTrip Cards.

Each reusable plastic card comes pre-loaded with $8 in stored fare value for a total price of $10 and features popular zoo baby residents, including giant panda cub Bao Bao, Sumatran tiger cubs Bandar and Sukacita, African lion cubs, and a gray seal pup named Rona.  

Buy Online

The commemorative cards are now available online and at Metro-operated sales offices. They will be accessible in all Metrorail station dispensers by July 4, while supplies last.

On July 4, Metro staff will also be available for hand-sales of the limited-edition cards at the following stations: Shady Grove, Greenbelt, Largo Town Center, New Carrollton, Branch Avenue, Franconia-Springfield, Vienna and Pentagon City.

Metro riders can present their Zoo SmarTrip card at the Zoo’s three main gift shops for 10% off all purchases.

“We are delighted to promote taking bus and rail transit to this popular destination,” said Lynn Bowersox, Metro Assistant General Manager for Customer Service, Communications and Marketing.  “The National Zoo is convenient for Metro riders and we are excited to feature a few of its newest inhabitants as the Zoo celebrates 125 years.”

Today, more than 90 percent of all Metro riders already use a SmarTrip card to pay for their trip. Metro has introduced several enhancements to SmarTrip to make using the cards even faster and more convenient, including:

Auto Reload: The "set it and forget it" feature that will automatically reload your card anytime your balance drops below $10. more info
Cost Savings: On Metrorail, each trip taken with a SmarTrip card cost $1 less than those taken with a paper farecard. SmarTrip is also the only way to take advantage of cost-saving transfer options between Metrobus and Metrorail. more info
Dispensers in All Metrorail Stations:  SmarTrip cards can be purchased at any Metrorail station entrance.  Riders pay $10 at the dispensers--$2 for the card loaded with $8 in Metro fare value.