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Answers
1) I can't find my subsidy!
Beginning January 1st, 2012, Metro will autoload your FAST benefits onto your card. In order for this to work, you must use your SmarTrip card at least once in the last two weeks prior to your first benefit month and your card must be registered. The first benefit month could be the first time you register with FAST or the first month your renewed registration is scheduled to go into effect (FAST participants may renew their subsidy benefits every 6 months). This is not an issue if you are a regular commuter who uses the same SmarTrip card that your benefits are applied to. This is only an issue if:
-You are brand new to FAST or are renewing your benefits
-You use more than one SmarTrip card
-You are on vacation/other detail that prevents you from using your card during the last two weeks of the month prior to your first benefit month
NOTE: SmarTrip benefits cannot be assigned to unregistered cards (cards that are not registered on www.wmata.com.) Only you can register your card (FAST cannot do this for you). If you have not registered your SmarTrip card, go to www.smartrip.com and click on “Register Your Card.” You can now manage your account online and add funds to your card online by clicking, “Manage Your Account Online” and “How to Add Value to Your Card.”
For more information on how this works, please visit SmartBenefits – Customer Autoload Instructions.
2) What is FAST Potomac Yard?
FAST stands for Full Access Solutions in Transportation. We promote environmentally friendly means of transit,
such as buses, carpools, vanpools, walking and biking. Our job is to discourage SOVs (single occupancy vehicles)
from driving on the roads.
3) What is the 9S Bus Subsidy Program?
The 9S bus runs from Potomac Yard (there is a bus stop outside One and Two Potomac Yard and another stop
outside the Camden Apartments/Eclipse Condominium) to the Crystal City Metro. The buses run every 7 minutes.
FAST offers a $34/mo subsidy for qualifying residents/employees of Potomac Yard. All you have to do is ride the
bus/metro to and from work. The subsidy is placed on a SmarTrip card. If you already have a SmarTrip card, we can
put the funds on that card if you give us the serial number during the online registration process. If you don’t already
have a card and are a new registrant, we can provide you with one and send the card via mail.
4) I’m not sure if I’m eligible for the program. How can I find out?
Contact FAST Potomac Yard prior to filling out the online registration form.
5) Where can I use my SmarTrip card?
Currently you can use your SmarTrip card on:
• MetroBus and MetroRail
• Loudoun County Transit
• ART – Arlington County
• DASH – Alexandria
• Ride On – Montgomery County
• DC Circulator
• CUE – Fairfax City
• Fairfax Connector
6) How do I sign up for the 9S Subsidy Program?
You can sign up via our website at www.fastpotomacyard.com. Just follow the prompts.
7) Can I fill out/will you accept a paper registration?
No. You can only register via the website.
8) What is the deadline for registration for the 9S subsidy?
The deadline is always the 7th of the month. You must complete the entire registration process by midnight on the
7th in order to be eligible for the following month’s subsidy. For example: A registration completed by March 7th
would be eligible for April’s subsidy. A registration completed by March 8th would be eligible for May’s subsidy.
9) How can I find out the status of my application?
You can log onto the website and check your personal profile for the status. If you see the word, “Approved,” you’re
done. Just make sure you check your personal profile to see when your subsidy will begin.
10) When do the funds become available to me?
Metro is making significant changes to the SmarTrip Benefits Plan beginning January 1st, 2012 in response to revised IRS guidelines –
- Beginning January 1st, 2012, any unused subsidy money will be refunded back to the provider (in this case, FAST) at the end of the month. THEREFORE, IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO DOWNLOAD YOUR SUBSIDY FUNDS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.
- Each time you use your SmarTrip card, the funds on your SmarTrip card will be subtracted in the following order:
-SUBSIDY FUNDS FIRST
-PERSONAL FUNDS SECOND
This means that once you have used your subsidy funds for the month, your SmarTrip card will begin deducting your personal funds each time you use your card.
- You will no longer be able to use your subsidy funds to pay for Metro parking facilities. You will only be able to use your subsidy funds for transit services provided by Metro or recognized by Metro (i.e. MetroBus, MetroRail, ART, DASH, DC Circulator, and other commuter buses, etc).
- You will still be able to store up to $300 of your personal funds on the card.
- Additional information can be found at http://www.wmata.com/business/employer_fare_program/
Funds are available the first of the month. For example: If you successfully complete the registration process on
June 5th and FAST Potomac approves your application, your funds will be available July 1. If you successfully
complete the registration process on June 14th and FAST Potomac approves your application, your funds will be
available August 1.
11) I tried to access the funds on my SmarTrip card, but my card says I have no money? What happened?
You probably need to download the funds onto the SmarTrip card. You can do this at any Metro station. There are
directions on the website that will walk you through the process. If you need any additional help, please ask a Metro
attendant and they can help you.
Click here for instructions on downloading benefits
12) I lost my card. Can you send me a new one?
No. You’ll need to purchase a new SmarTrip card at a Metro station for $5.
13) I lost my card and bought a new one. Can you transfer my subsidy to the
new card?
Yes. We can transfer any unclaimed, actively available portions from one card to another. The process usually takes
a few days. You’ll need to contact FAST directly at 240-450-5779 to have this done.
14) I lost by SmarTrip card and bought a new one, but I had a bunch of money
remaining on the card that I lost. Can I get it back?
Maybe, but FAST Potomac Yard can only reassign 9S subsidy money. You’ll need to contact the Metro customer
service number at 202-637-7000. Only Metro can transfer already existing balances from one SmarTrip card to
another.
15) What happens if I don’t use the entire $34 subsidy in one month?
Do the funds rollover?
No. Any unused money at the end of the month is returned to FAST Potomac Yard. This is why it is important for you to download your subsidy funds at the very beginning of the month in order to get the maximum benefit.
16) I’m going overseas for a month and won’t be able to use my SmarTrip
card. Is there anything I should do?
Yes. Contact FAST Potomac Yard and ask them to put a hold/temporary suspension on your account. This will
prevent your account from being deactivated entirely and ineligible to receive any additional funding.
17) I haven’t used my SmarTrip card in a long time and now I tried to use it
and it won’t work. What happened?
You were likely deleted from the system due to misuse of funds/not using your funds. Remember, this is money
that Potomac Yard cannot get back. If you’re going to request the subsidy, you have to use the card. You’ll need to
contact FAST Potomac Yard to see if you are eligible for reinstatement.
18) I am moving and won’t be able to use the remainder of my subsidy.
Is there anything I can do?
Yes – You can recycle these funds by contacting FAST Potomac Yard prior to the date of your move. We’ll send you
a super nice gift as a token of our appreciation. These funds REALLY mean that much to us. So please help us out
so we can continue the program and extend these benefits to others.
19) I am moving out of Potomac Yard/will no longer be working in Potomac
Yard. Can I still use my SmarTrip benefits?
No. This is a County program extended only to residents and employees of Potomac Yard. Using your card for any
purpose other than trips to and from Potomac Yard may make you subject to penalties and fines.
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