Low-Income Fare Trial (LIFT)
Frequently Asked Questions
This page was last updated February 14, 2024
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Sections
Overview
Data Walks
Gift Cards
Transit discount
Data protection
Other
Overview
What is the Low-Income Fare Trial (LIFT)?
- The Low-Income Fare Trial (LIFT) was a pilot program that offered half-price discounts or free unlimited trips on Metro and bus for nine months in 2023. LIFT will also help DC Government learn how these transit discounts affect how residents get around, as well as their employment and well-being.
Is LIFT the same as the new Metro for DC bill passed in December, 2022?
- No. The Metro for DC bill, which was passed in December 2022, included provisions such as free-fare for bus rides originating in DC. Implementation of fare-free buses is pending budget.
Is LIFT the same program as WMATA’s Metro Lift?
- No. The Low-Income Fare Trial is a pilot program that offered DC residents transit discounts from January 2023 – October 2023. DC residents applied to the pilot program in 2022. WMATA’s Metro Lift program is an ongoing program launched in June 2023, specifically for households that receive SNAP.
What other transit programs are available in DC?
- For households that participate in SNAP (formerly food stamps): WMATA offers a 50% discount on Metro and Bus called “Metro Lift”. You can sign up online or in-person at one of WMATA’s three permanent Metro Lift signup locations. You can call 1-888-SmarTrip (888-762-7874) to ask WMATA your questions about WMATA’s Metro Lift. To receive information about this reduced fare program in a language other than English, please call Metro at 202-637-7000.
- If you’re 65+ years old, you qualify for a Senior SmarTrip card. With the Senior SmarTrip card, you’d get a half-price discount on Metro and bus. You’ll need an official picture ID that shows your date of birth. Bring it to a Metro sales location or any Montgomery County Library to get your Senior SmarTrip card.
- If you have a disability, you may qualify for a Reduced Fare SmarTrip Card. This would give you a half-price discount on Metro and bus.
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Data Walks
What is a data walk?
- A “data walk” offers an opportunity to react to the findings in small groups, ask questions, and interpret what the data may mean. The data walks will be held in a meeting room at a DC public library. During the session, small groups will move between posters, each presenting one finding from LIFT.
Who is hosting this session?
- This session will be hosted by The Lab @ DC, which is a policy evaluation and program design team that sits within the Office of the City Administrator. The Lab worked with WMATA and the DOEE to implement and evaluate LIFT. You may have spoken to us when you called about LIFT!
Who is this session for?
- People who received LIFT transit discounts in 2023 are invited to participate in the data walks. We’ll confirm that you’re eligible to attend using the information you enter when you sign up. You’re ineligible if you didn’t receive a discount from LIFT OR if you only received a Metro Lift discount.
How will what I say be used?
- The data walks will guide additional analysis of the results and help us provide context when we publish a report. There will be a notetaker present to capture group conversation. Only we will have access to the notes. Your personal information will not be used in any reports we produce.
What language will the data walk be conducted in?
- This data walk will be conducted in English and/or Spanish.
I need an accommodation to attend—what do I do?
- Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you need an accommodation to be able to attend. We’re also planning some remote outreach for people who can’t join the data walks in-person.
What will I get out of the session?
- Your feedback will help shape how we understand the impact of transit discounts for low-income residents. You will also receive $120 in digital Visa gift cards for your participation in the full event.
How can I get to the Martin Luther King Memorial Library?
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is located at 901 G St NW, Washington DC 20001. It is near Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro (Green, Yellow, Red lines), and Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver, Red lines). The following bus routes are near the library: 32, 70, G8, S2, X2.
I can’t get childcare—can I bring my kids?
- This session is intended for adults, but if you need to have your children with you, that’s not a problem—we will be bringing coloring pages and crayons.
How will I receive my gift cards?
- We will email the digital visa gift cards to data walk attendees within one month of the event. Please note that the gift cards will be digital and will only be able to be redeemed online.
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Gift Cards
When will LIFT participants receive their $30 digital gift card for taking the LIFT survey?
- On 9/29/2023, we emailed digital gift cards to everyone who took the survey and whose information matched what we have on file for a LIFT participant.
I got an email or text message about a $25 gift card from LIFT. Is the message real?
- We sent out gift cards to LIFT participants through email and text on 7/10/2023, 7/31/2023, and 8/10/2023. You can email [email protected] or call 202-304-1975 if you need further confirmation.
Can I request a physical gift card instead of a digital gift card?
- No. Unfortunately, we cannot fulfill requests for a physical gift card.
What if I encounter a problem with my gift card?
- If you encounter a problem with a gift card (e.g., the gift card does not work or has less value than expected), please contact Perfect Gift directly. You can report such issues to [email protected] for our records, but only our vendor can resolve issues with the gift cards, and LIFT will not issue replacement (new) gift cards.
What if my Visa gift card is lost or stolen?
- The gift cards work like cash; that means that if somebody else has your gift card number, they can use it and there is no way to get it back. We recommend keeping the number of your gift card private.
Can I use my digital gift card for in-store purchases?
- According to Perfect Gift, Virtual Visa or Mastercard gift cards cannot be used for in-store purchases. You can use digital gift cards to shop online.
Can I add the money from my digital gift card to my LIFT SmarTrip card?
- WMATA does not recommend using gift cards to add value to an online SmarTrip card, since WMATA cannot guarantee that they will work.
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Transit discount
I have money on my LIFT SmarTrip card. How do I make sure I don’t lose that money when my card stops working after October 30?
- Make a plan now to use or transfer the funds!
- Spend the money left on your card before the October 30 deadline.
- If you still have money on your card, call WMATA Customer Service (888-762-7874) and ask them to transfer your balance to another SmarTrip card.
- Have both your LIFT SmarTrip card and another SmarTrip card ready. WMATA will ask for both card numbers.
- Make sure you tell them you’re a "DC LIFT participant."
- The call center is open weekdays 7:00 am-8:00pm.
- The balance transfer process may take up to 2 days to process.
Why did my LIFT SmarTrip card stop working after October 30, 2023?
- LIFT was a temporary, 9-month program that began at the end of January 2023. The LIFT SmarTrip cards stopped working after those 9 months passed. It is not possible to renew or extend your LIFT discount. LIFT is also not accepting new applications.
I was selected to receive a $25 Visa gift card in the lottery but not a transit discount. What does that mean?
- This means that you can continue to pay for Metrobus, Metrorail, DC Circulator, and other regional bus partners how you normally would. Prices will remain the same.
- You will still receive a $25 Visa gift card for signing up.
- We will use information about your use of transit and other services to help us shape future programs to make public transit more affordable. We may ask you to complete optional (paid) surveys.
I received a half-price discount in the lottery. What does that mean?
- This means you will get half off the normal price on Metrobus, Metrorail, DC Circulator, and other regional bus partners with this SmarTrip card until October 30, 2023. You’ll need to add money to your LIFT SmarTrip card before you use it. You can do this online, at a Metrorail station, on a Metrobus, or at select retail stores, like CVS and Giant.
- We will send you an email, text message, and / or letter with a confirmation number and instructions to pick up your card. You or someone you trust must bring your confirmation number to pick up your LIFT SmarTrip card from WMATA at 655 Virginia Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 by . Office hours are M 8-4, Tu 8-2:30, Wed-Fri 8-4. We’re not able to mail your LIFT SmarTrip card at this time.
- The discount will start the first time you use your card and expire on October 30, 2023.
- You will also receive a $25 Visa gift card for signing up.
- Metro will only charge you half of the usual price when you tap it. You can also add half-priced 7-day unlimited passes and 7-day regional bus passes to your card. The half-price discount applies even during peak hours.
- We will use information about how you use transit and other services to shape future programs that make public transit more affordable. We may ask you to complete optional (paid) surveys.
I received free unlimited trips in the lottery. What does that mean?
- This means that you can ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, DC Circulator, and other regional bus partners with this SmarTrip card until October 30, 2023. You can immediately use this SmarTrip card to tap into metro stations and buses–you do not need to load it with transit value or other passes. The free fare applies even during peak hours.
- We will send you an email, text message, and / or letter with a confirmation number and instructions to pick up your card. You or someone you trust must bring your confirmation number to pick up your LIFT SmarTrip card from WMATA at 655 Virginia Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024. Office hours are M 8-4, Tu 8-2:30, Wed-Fri 8-4. We're not able to mail your LIFT SmarTrip card at this time.
- The free fares will start the first time you use your card and expire on October 30, 2023.
- You will also receive a $25 Visa gift card for signing up.
- We will use information about your use of transit and other services to shape future programs to make public transit more affordable. We may ask you to complete optional, paid surveys.
Who decides whether I receive a LIFT discount?
- LIFT transit discounts are given out randomly through a lottery.
- There is no process to appeal your lottery selection.
What specific bus and rail options can I use this transit discount on?
- You can use your LIFT SmarTrip card as you normally would on all DC transit, including Metrobus and Metrorail and the DC Circulator. You can also use it on some transit systems in Maryland and Virginia, including Arlington Transit (ART), the City of Fairfax-University Energysaver Bus System (CUE), the Driving Alexandria Safely Home (DASH), the Fairfax Connector, TheBus in Prince George’s County, RideOn buses in Montgomery County, Loudoun County Transit, and OmniRide from the Potomac and Rappahannock Transit Commission (PRTC).
Does LIFT provide a discount on MetroAccess?
- No, LIFT does not provide a discount on MetroAccess. LIFT offers discounts on Metrorail, Metrobus, and regional bus partners that accept SmarTrip cards.
Can I add value to my LIFT SmarTrip card through the SmarTrip mobile app or online?
- Yes, you can register your card, purchase passes, and add value to your card through the SmarTrip app or online.
- If you received free unlimited trips in the lottery, there is no need to add passes or value. All your trips will be free. You can still register your card online if you wish.
Can I transfer my LIFT SmarTrip card to my phone (through Apple Wallet or Google Pay)?
- No, your LIFT SmarTrip card cannot be added to your phone through Apple Wallet or Google Pay. This means that you cannot tap into the metro or bus using your phone–you have to use your card.
Can I sell my LIFT SmarTrip card?
- No, please don’t sell your LIFT SmarTrip card. This card is meant to help you get around.
Can I share my LIFT SmarTrip card?
- We encourage you to use your LIFT SmarTrip card for your own Metro and bus rides, but there is no penalty for sharing.
How long can I use my free unlimited trips or half-price discount?
- Your discount will expire on October 30, 2023. After the expiration date, your LIFT SmarTrip card will no longer work. You can resume paying for the metro and bus how you normally would.
Am I allowed to participate in other DC Government programs during LIFT?
- Your participation in LIFT does not affect the benefits and services you would normally receive from DOEE or other District agencies, but you are not eligible for LIFT if you personally receive a senior, disability, or student discount on Metro or bus. That includes the Free or Reduced Fare Program for seniors and people with disabilities, the Kids Ride Free and Adult Learner Transit Subsidy.
What if my LIFT SmarTrip card is lost or stolen?
- If your LIFT SmarTrip card is lost or stolen, please contact us at [email protected] or reach out to the DOEE at 202-304-1975. We will deactivate the lost or stolen card and mail you a new one.
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Data protection
How will DC Government use my information?
- In addition to providing transit discounts to residents, this program will also help us – DC Government – learn how these transit discounts affect how residents get around, as well as their employment, income, family, health, and energy use. We’ll use your information to check your identity and eligibility. We may also use your information to:
- send you a SmarTrip card and/or gift cards,
- reach out for additional information,
- answer your questions,
- send you optional, paid surveys, and
- evaluate how this program affects you and other District residents
How will my data be protected?
- We ‐DC Government ‐will treat your data as confidential and protected information, meaning we will store your data securely and access your data on encrypted computers. We will never email your data, post it online, or make it available through unencrypted channels.
- We will only use your data to understand how LIFT is working. We will not share your data with advertisers or law enforcement, unless required to by law.
- Any research findings that we publish will not include names or personal information for you or any other participants.
- Upon finishing the study, we will no longer access or use your personal information. Any data we retail will not include names or personal information for you or any other participants. Where possible, we’ll dispose of your data entirely.
Will I be contacted in the future if I participate in this program?
- Yes. We may reach out to you a couple of times throughout the duration of this program to get more information about your transit use and your experience with the program.
Why am I asked to provide my Social Security or A-number?
- We’ll use your Social Security or A-number to check your identity and verify your eligibility for LIFT. We also use that information to see if LIFT is improving participants' income, health employment, and other well-being outcomes.
Why am I asked to provide information about my race and ethnicity?
- LIFT collects information on your race to help DC Government learn if there are racial differences in how transit discounts affect the way residents get around, as well as their employment, income, family, health, and energy use.
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Other
How can I update my contact information for LIFT?
- If your address, phone number, or email has changed since you enrolled in LIFT, please use this form to tell us.
I have questions about DOEE’s utility affordability programs or my utility bills. Can you help me?
- Please direct those questions to DC’s Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) by calling 202-535-2600 or emailing [email protected].
I have questions about WMATA’s Metro Lift. Can you help me?
- WMATA runs WMATA’s Metro Lift, so their staff is best suited to answering your questions. You can call 1-888-SmarTrip (888-762-7874) to ask WMATA your questions about WMATA’s Metro Lift.
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If you have questions about LIFT that aren’t answered here, please contact us at [email protected] or call LIFT at 202-304-1975.