A Good Idea?

From Laura:

I get on and off at Greenbelt on the days I take Metro to work, and so I routinely see tourists or travelers going to and from BWI.

It occurs to me that WMATA probably makes bank off unused fare cards, i.e. travelers that put $20 on a card at the beginning of their stay, only use $10 of it, and then go back to their own cities.

So here's my question: Has there ever been an attempt to establish a program where tourists can donate their unused fare cards as they're leaving town to a program that will redistribute that money to, say, unemployed people going to job interviews, or another good cause?

We asked Metro since as, on the surface, it seems like a good idea and might help with the image problem.

Here's what they said:

This has not been an idea that has been formally considered.

Other items:
Metro embraces decade-old technology, city rejoices (WMATA)
Metro studying ways to decrease Gallery Pl. crowding (Examiner)