I am writing regarding the new policy disallowing SmarTrip holders to exit with a negative balance. in the past, allowing this as a one-time deal was helpful to those of us who misjudged fares, especially in this age of metro adding new small charges. I can only speak for myself but I am a teacher at a small private school in NE DC, just off the red line at the Rhode Island Ave/Brentwood stop. I do not carry any cash with me due to the high rate of crime in this area. Often times, there are fights/arguments/situations in the base of the station where fare machines are. People are allowed to loiter in this area and beg for change, money and literally harass others. I have been a victim numerous times. The station managers seem to not even care as they sit there and watch it happen as well as waving people through that have no metro passes and say they cannot afford a ride, yet I am forced to pay $7 a day (roundtrip) to get into my place of work where I am directly effecting the community.

That being said, I will not carry cash or stop at these fare machines to recharge due to a safety issue. I feel it is a poor decision to not allow people to have the small negative balances. What will I be forced to do since I do not have cash for fear of being mugged? Will I be told I have to stay in the station?

With regard to all the fare increases, as a teacher making a very small salary, it has gotten to be so difficult for me to pay. And there is no help for teachers, yet regularly I see others getting a "free wave" through gates. I have been here for 3 years and in those 3 years, my fare has increased a total of $3 a day. It has almost doubled. Yet, I am still forced to ride on a rail system riddled with safety issues it fails to address properly, delays that have made me substantially late for work, even when leaving hours before my scheduled arrival, trains that are being "run" by teenagers and gang members who steal/yell/intimidate/harm other riders and an agency that has a genuine "we'll do it when we get around to it because we said so" attitude.

WMATA should start thinking about it's riders and customers before making such decisions. Perhaps you need to take a few business courses or speak with Mr. Ted Leonsis. He seems to know how to run a business or two.