You'll be able to use your SmarTrip cards in Charm City

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Metro riders, how would you like to use you SmarTrip Card for a ride on the Baltimore subway or light rail system?

Metro leaders say a deal has been worked out that will allow SmarTrip cards to be accepted on Maryland Transit Administration trains and buses in and around the Baltimore area. Likewise, the MTA says it will soon have a "smart" card that can be used in both the Baltimore and D.C. regions.

"MTA's planned cards are the same smart card technology that we use in our SmarTrip cards with a different branding," says Metro spokesperson Candace Smith. "Customers will be able to use the cards seamlessly on both systems."

This means that SmarTrip cards will be accepted from Baltimore to Northern Virginia. However, MARC and Virginia Railway Express will not offer the service.

The new smart technology is expected to be operational in both D.C. and Baltimore early next year.

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