Hot inauguration memorabilia: Metro's SmarTrip card

WASHINGTON -- The Barack Obama SmarTrip card may be one of the hardest pieces of inauguration memorabilia to get your hands on.

"They are literally selling like hotcakes," says Metro spokesperson Candace Smith.

Nearly 20,000 of the commemorative cards already have been purchased online. As soon as Metro started selling the cards at sales centers on Monday, long lines formed.

"There is definite interest in this card," says Smith.

Metro expects to have about 40,000 of the special cards available before the inauguration. But with brisk online and in-person sales, it is a safe bet that the cards will be gone before the end of the week.

The Obama SmarTrip card shows a picture of the president-elect smiling, with gold letters across the front.

If you want to pick one up in person, you can grab the card at the sales office at Metro headquarters, located at 600 5th St., NW. You can also get the card at the sales offices at the Metro Center and Pentagon rail stations.

The Obama card is available on a first-come, first serve basis. If you want one and can't get one before Jan. 20, don't worry. Metro says it is ordering thousands more that will be available after the Inauguration.

The card costs either $10 with no fare loaded on it, or $20 with $10 of fare pre-loaded.

Metro is also selling special one-day passes to be used over any one day during the Inauguration -- so far about 7,000 of those cards have been sold.

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