What is a Transit Link Card (TLC)?
A TLC is available for either MARC train or Commuter Bus customers. The TLC allows unlimited monthly use of MARC or Commuter Bus up to the zone indicated, depending on which pass is purchased; in addition to unlimited monthly travel on:

  • WMATA Metrorail and Metrobus
  • Montgomery County RideOn
  • DASH – Alexandria, VA
  • MTA CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink (up charge included), Metro Subway and Light Rail

How much does a TLC cost?
The TLC cost is based on zone structure. Exact fares for MARC or Commuter Bus may be found on the Commuter Direct web site. Select your mode of travel either MARC or Commuter Bus for exact pricing. MTA.CommuterDirect.com

In addition to the monthly fare add $2.00 for smart card + $1.00 surcharge for sticker pass.

Where do I purchase a TLC?
Online with Commuter Direct at MTA.CommuterDirect.com. Or at Commuter Direct walk in Commuter Store locations Arlington Commuter Store, Odenton Commuter Store and Springfield Connector Store.

Questions?
Visit MTA.CommuterDirect.com

Or call:
410-697-2212 or 703-228-7433

Note
Commuters who purchase a MARC TLC and travel originates at MARC BWI station are eligible for free parking at the station. Click here for more information about this service.
Register each TLC smart card at wmata.com to protect the Metro portion of your TLC against loss. If the SmarTrip portion of the card becomes unusable (cracked, bent, not-working), and the SmarTrip Card is registered, then the SmarTrip portion of the pass is eligible for “Balance Protection”. Take the card in-person to any Metro sales office for card replacement.  Transfer of the pass, will not be available via the customer service website. WMATA will not replace the TLC sticker.

Changes to Transit Link Card effective January 2016

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is in the process of eliminating all paper-magnetic fare cards throughout its system.

As part of this plan, in January 2016 the Transit Link Card (TLC) for February will be issued on a smart card. From that point on, only the smart card version of the TLC will be sold.

MARC, and MTA Commuter Bus vehicles do not have the technology to read smart cards. They will continue to rely on conductors and bus operators to visually inspect a sticker pass applied to the face of the smart card to verify the proper agency, month, and zones of travel. For trips on MTA local service the pass will continue to be accepted as a flash pass to ride CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink (up charge included), Metro Subway and Light Rail.

Applying transit benefits to the cost of the TLC remains the same, as does the monthly validity period and riding privileges on WMATA Metrorail and Metrobus.

Purchase Online at  CommuterDirect.com

Order from CommuterDirect.com as you normally have. You will receive a new smart card with each order. The card will contain an electronically loaded monthly Metro pass and a MARC, or MTA Commuter Bus sticker pass.

COST – The cost of a MARC or Commuter Bus Monthly TLC and $2.00 for smart card + $1.00 surcharge for sticker pass.

Purchase at Commuter Stores

The TLC may be purchased at The Commuter Store, or reloaded, if you already have a SmarTrip or CharmCard. The TLC will be available at all Arlington Commuter Store locations, the Odenton Commuter Store, and the Springfield Connector Store. The monthly sticker pass will be applied to your card. Customers using this option are strongly encouraged to have two cards, so they can use one card for the current month, and load the TLC and get the sticker pass for the following month on a spare card. Customers will not be able to show two sticker passes on one card at the same time.

COST
The cost of a MARC or Commuter Bus Monthly TLC and If you purchase a new smart card, $2.00 for the smart card + $1.00 surcharge for sticker pass. If you load the TLC pass onto an existing SmarTrip or CharmCard, you will save the $2.00 cost for a new card. The $1 surcharge for the sticker pass will still apply for MARC and MTA Commuter Bus customers.

How to Use the New TLC
Use the card, with current sticker, as a flash pass on MARC, Commuter Bus and MTA Local Service.
When riding WMATA Metrorail or Metrobus, tap the card to the SmarTrip target on faregates and fareboxes.

**Register each TLC smart card at wmata.com to protect the Metro portion of your TLC against loss. If the SmarTrip portion of the card becomes unusable (cracked, bent, not-working), and the SmarTrip Card is registered, then the SmarTrip portion of the pass is eligible for “Balance Protection”. Take the card in-person to any Metro sales office for card replacement.  Transfer of the pass, will not be available via the customer service website. WMATA will not replace the TLC sticker. MTA Transit Store:
410-767-3447