"service fee" on SmartTrip cards? (metro, cemetery)

[markwr]

Hello all,

I've done a quick search on this topic and didn't come up with any hits so hopefully this hasn't been asked.

During my last visit to DC back in Aug of '09 i purchased a Smart Trip card for my travels around DC. When I left, I still had roughly $7 on the card (actually wrote the amount on a sticky) I put the card back in it's envelope that it came in and placed it in the desk at home.

I'm planning a return visit in October so I took out the card and registered(forgot to do it when i purchased it) and it is showing a $0 balance?

Does Metro charge $$ if it is not used in a given amount of time?

I emailed Metro when I first discovered this, but not shockingly never got a response.

Thanks for any input.

Mark

[KStreetQB]

I don't know the official answer, but had the same experience with an old card. They do appear to zero it out after a while.

[markwr]

Thank you KstreetQB for your response.

I'll just remember to get closer to a zero value when i visit in October.

I'll only be needing metro for the round trip from BWI to DC / DC to Dulles. Then a one way out to Arlington (plan on walking back to the Lincoln Memorial after the cemetery). All my other locations that I want to visit I should be able to walk to.

[akorosdc]

I've never heard of any official policy regarding this (not that I've tested it), but they did overhaul the system a little while ago. I don't know if that could be the issue, but maybe the new computer system kicked out inactive accounts?