DCMETRO PARKING, SMARTRIP ALTERNATIVE,CASHLESS,

Credit card payment tested at Metro lotsCustomers can use a credit card to pay for parking at six stations beginning Monday, April 2.The three month pilot program aims to give riders an alternative method to pay for parking at Metro parking facilities. Currently, all customers must pay for parking with a SmarTrip card. Metro parking facilities have been "cashless" since May 2004.Over the past several weeks, the parking office has overseen the installation of credit card readers at the parking facilities at Anacostia, Franconia-Springfield, Largo Town Center, New Carrollton, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and Shady Grove. Each garage will have one exit lane that accepts both credit cards and SmarTrip cards.Directional signs informing drivers about the appropriate credit card exit lanes also will be posted.The launch of the $700,000 pilot program coincides with the start of the tourist and cherry blossom seasons in the region. During the springtime Metro sees many new riders, occasional riders and tourists— a group that typically does not use SmarTrip.