Unsuck DC Metro: Demand Your Refund!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Demand Your Refund!

Metro isn't very clear about when exactly they'll give a refund because of delays, but they do give them.

In fact, they're giving quite a few, according to a Metro freedom of information request.

The above is the number of complimentary ride vouchers or the equivalent for SmarTrip "rectifications" in 2012.

Start demanding your free rides when you're delayed. Yesterday's Orange Line meltdown likely delayed significantly more then 13,000 people. So did the Great Green Line Charlie Foxtrot of 2013.

Step up and let Metro know you won't stand for crappy service. Write them at csvc@wmata.com. Those numbers should easily be double, tripled or more. Be warned: You may have to keep after them.

Other items:
Are we any safer as a result of Metro's sexual harassment campaign? (CASS)

Comments (15)

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+9 Vote up Vote down

anon · 629 weeks ago

These numbers lead me to believe most riders don't realize they can demand a refund. Great post. Maybe this will add at least a little accountability.

+6 Vote up Vote down

NoNo · 629 weeks ago

In my experience, they give only one per person... I used to believe in customer service at Metro... The very first time I complained, I received one of this complimentary ride ticket... but since that, I never received back anything but, in the best cases, automatic key word-based answer, in most of the cases, nothing, not even an answer...
So I would say: if you want to complain ,and may be entitled for a refund, create a new email adress, and give a fake name (having to give a postal adress may be the weakness in this approach)... because Metro is probably tracking who they gave tickets to.

+5 Vote up Vote down

iolaire 71p · 629 weeks ago

Good information, how much did you pay for the freedom of information request?

1 reply · active 629 weeks ago

+12 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 629 weeks ago

It was only $300,000 per month.

+6 Vote up Vote down

dcn8v · 629 weeks ago

I actually have Metro tokens, given to me in a "welcome wagon" basket back in the '90's. They're coins with the Metro "M" punched out of them. Anyone else remember these? Know if they're still usable? I always figured I'd keep them until the system went defunct and then sell them as collectibles.

1 reply · active 629 weeks ago

+4 Vote up Vote down

sbc · 629 weeks ago

You can still use tokens. I work for a nonprofit and we sometimes give them to clients.

+3 Vote up Vote down

GridlockDoctor · 629 weeks ago

Well,

I sent my nastygram asking for them to make it right. Will I get a refund? Doubtful. Did it make me feel better? You better believe it.

FWIW, yesterday's commute took me close to 3x the ammount of time normally needed to get from West Falls Church to Clarendon.

+10 Vote up Vote down

John · 629 weeks ago

Anyone else think the majority of those receiving refunds are Metro Employees?

3 replies · active 629 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Wait.....what???? · 629 weeks ago

Don't forget, employees ride for free.

+4 Vote up Vote down

sdaf · 629 weeks ago

Don't be silly, Metro employees take late-model, high-end Benzos to work.

+7 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 629 weeks ago

No, they ride raccoon-drawn chariots!

+2 Vote up Vote down

guest · 629 weeks ago

Do we know that the Smartrip "rectifications" were compensation for delays? I think it's pretty common for the people who manage Smartrip to issue refunds for bogus charges, like when they double-charge people for exiting. If those are included in the stats then I suspect such "rectifications" would to be much more common than WMATA giving people refunds for delayed rides.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Jin · 629 weeks ago

Ok, I feel like I missed something(s). What's with the raccoon jokes? I keep seeing them here, but don't remember the reference. And what happened on the OL last night (I left super late, and took the RL)?

2 replies · active 629 weeks ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 629 weeks ago

http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/2010/02/masked-...