MARC Ticket Purchasing
(Last Updated 3/2009)

Tickets purchased for travel that involves a destination to or from a West Virginia stop (Martinsburg, Duffields, and Harpers Ferry) will be assessed a surcharge as follows: An additional $2.00 for a one-way ticket ($1.00 Sr. /Dis.), $20.00 for a weekly ticket, and $80.00 for a monthly ticket ($40.00 Sr. /Dis.) The charges are in addition to the fares listed in the MARC fare or conversion charts.  Note: Surcharge fares are not discounted for passengers using the Student Advantage card for West Virginia travel.

Day of Travel

One-way and two-trip tickets may be purchased from station ticket agents, Quik-Trak self-service ticketing kiosks or on-board the train from the conductor.  Only cash is accepted for on-board purchases.  There is a $3.00 surcharge if the ticket office was open at the time of train departure.

At staffed stations, tickets can be purchased with cash, major credit cards, SmartBenefits Vouchers or Commuter Choice Maryland Vouchers.  For days of operation and times, click here.

At Amtrak stations (Washington, New Carrollton, BWI Marshall, Baltimore Penn) passengers are required to show a photo ID when purchasing tickets.

Advance Purchase

One-way tickets may be purchased in advance and are valid from six months from the date of sale.

Self-Serve Ticketing (SST) Kiosk Purchase 
SST's, which are the same Amtrak Quik-Trak machines currently found at Washington, Baltimore and other stations, accept all major credit and debit cards and will be available for use whenever MARC service is in operation.   Available for purchase are daily, weekly, monthly, and Senior/disability discounted tickets.  Cash or vouchers of any kind cannot be used. Cash one-way fares will be sold on board the train at these locations without penalty.  

For passengers who have SmartBenefits Vouchers, we recommend using Commuter Direct for electronic ticket purchases using the SmartBenefits program.  Visit www.commuterdirect.com for more information about the SmartBenefits programs.  Vouchers may also be used to purchase MARC tickets at Amtrak stations in Washington, New Carrollton, BWI and Baltimore, as well as MARC stations at Odenton, Brunswick, and Frederick.  

SST’s are accessible to the visually impaired.  With the insertion of a headset, supplied by the commuter, all SST’s have audio to assist with the ticket purchasing process. 

On-Line Purchase

MARC tickets, including the Transit Link Card (TLC), may be purchased on-line at www.CommuterDirect.com.  Click here for more information.

Ticket-By-Mail Purchase

Regular monthly tickets and the Transit Link Card (TLC) are available by mail.  Click here for instructions on how to order.

SmartBenefits Vouchers have replaced Metrocheks and are accepted at staffed MARC, Amtrak, CSX, and Commuter Direct sales locations. SmartBenefits Vouchers are available in $1.00, $10.00, and $30.00 denominations and are accepted with the same provisions as the previous Metrochek Program.

Metrocheks that have previously been distributed to employees will continue to be accepted until the close of business on March 6, 2009. After that time only the new SmartBenefits Vouchers may be used; however, employees can continue to use Metrocheks to purchase other transit passes at Metro sales offices and Commuter Direct through March 31, 2009.
http://www.wmata.com/business/employer_fare_program/mc_end.cfm