Thousands ride for free on Metro; Some for life

WASHINGTON -- You're probably not one of them, but more than 10,000 people are getting free rides on Metro. Some are riding for free for life, including the people who decide what you pay.

Every Metro board member past and present gets a free ride for life, as well as sworn officers, including General Manager John Catoe.

That means the same people, the Metro board members, who voted to raise riders' fares recently -- the largest fare increases for rail and parking in Metro's history -- will never have to worry how high the cost of a ride is.

Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman rides for free, so does D.C. Council member Jim Graham. Alternate board members, such as Marion Barry, will ride for free for the rest of their life. Even former Metro General Manager Richard White, who was essentially forced out of his position, will get a free pass on Metro forever.

The free ride doesn't end on the rails. Officials also get to ride Metrobus for free.

Every Metro retiree gets a lifetime pass on the transit system.

In addition to lifetime passes, Metro also provides free rides for all of the agency's approximately 10,000 employees.

Agency officials say it is a good thing employees are allowed to ride for free because it helps them spot problems that crop up on the transit system. However, sources tell WTOP, the actual number of Metro employees who take advantage of their free rides is embarrassingly low.

If Metro were to charge its employees for rides on the system, it would come out to about $110 per employee, per month -- although the transit agency admits it would most likely pick up the tab through what's known as Metrochecks.

Many companies and agencies in the D.C. region provide their workers with free Metrochecks so that they can commute to and from work everyday.

As far as abuse with their free rides, Metro officials say there is harsh punishment for any employee caught exploiting the privilege.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)