About MARC Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)

There's a new way to purchase MARC and MTA Commuter Bus tickets and passes. MARC Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) are free-standing kiosks located at MARC stations and the MTA Transit Store in Baltimore.?

About MTA.CommuterDirect.com/TVM

This section of CommuterDirect.com is provide for registration for special features of the TVMs. Eligible customers may purchase discounted tickets for seniors and disabled persons, after registering on this website. Customers who receive SmartBenefits from their employers will be able to apply SmartBenefits to purchases at TVMs, after registering on this website.

Effective August 10, 2025, CommuterDirect will no longer accept student discounts via the Student Advantage program, as directed by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

We recommend exploring alternative discount options or contacting your school's administration for potential resources. We understand this change may impact your plans and budgeting, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

This decision is mandated by the MTA and beyond our control. For questions or assistance, please contact us Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm at 703-228-7433. Thank you for your understanding and for being a valued customer.

TVM Locations

• Washington Union Station
• MARC Penn Line: Perryville, Aberdeen, Edgewood, Martin Airport, Baltimore Penn Station, West Baltimore, Halethorpe, BWI Marshall Airport Rail Station, Odenton, Bowie State University, New Carrollton
• MARC Camden Line: Baltimore Camden Station, Dorsey, Savage, Laurel, College Park
• MARC Brunswick Line: Martinsburg, Brunswick, Point of Rocks, Monocacy, Germantown, Metropolitan Grove, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Kensington, Silver Spring
• MTA Transit Store: 6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore

Registering for Discounted Fares

From the home page, mta.commuterdirect.com/tvm, click "Register your Senior or Disabled to purchase reduced-price fares." You will be taken to a form to register to use this feature at MARC TVMs. Notes about the form:

Phone Number

The phone number you enter will be your login ID at TVMs. We will also send text messages to this number, if you elect to receive text messages. We will send a text to alert you when your account has been activated, and when you request a PIN reset. We will not share your phone number with anyone.

Verify Eligibility

When registering for discounted fares, an ID will be required. If you are registering as a disabled person, and you have an MTA Disability ID, you will be able to enter the ID number. If you don't have an ID number, or are registering for Senior discounts, you will be asked to email, text, or fax a photo or scan of your ID. Accepted types of ID are:

• MTA Senior Photo ID (no longer issued)
• Government-issued photo ID showing age 65 or older
• MTA Disability photo ID
• Disability ID from another transit agency and government-issued photo ID
• Medicare card and government-issued photo ID

Effective August 10, 2025, CommuterDirect will no longer accept student discounts via the Student Advantage program, as directed by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

We recommend exploring alternative discount options or contacting your school's administration for potential resources. We understand this change may impact your plans and budgeting, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

This decision is mandated by the MTA and beyond our control. For questions or assistance, please contact us Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm at 703-228-7433. Thank you for your understanding and for being a valued customer.

 

Registering to Use Employer SmartBenefits

Before you can register to use SmartBenefits at a TVM, you must:

• Purchase a SmarTrip card
• Register your SmarTrip card with Metro
• Have your employer enroll you in the SmartBenefits program

After completing these steps, you can register to use SmartBenefits at MARC TVMs. On the home page of the MARC TVM website, click "Register to use SmartBenefits" on the left side of the screen, and follow the prompts.

Customers must register to use SmartBenefits at TVMs on or before the 16th of the month in order to have SmartBenefits available for the following month. Customers moving SmartBenefits to TVMs after the 16th won't have benefits available the following month, but the month after that.

Frequently-Asked Questions About TVMs

Q: If I purchase a MARC ticket at a TVM, will I be eligible for free parking at BWI Airport?

A: No. Only customers who purchase MARC tickets online at CommuterDirect.com, or from a Commuter Store, are eligible for free parking at BWI.

Q: Can I use my SmartBenefits at CommuterDirect and also at the TVMs?

A: No, if you assign your SmartBenefits to the TVMs they cannot also be used on CommuterDirect.com. However, if you assign your SmartBenefits to the TVMs they may also be used at the Commuter Stores.

Contact Staff

Contact CommuterDirect.com staff about Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) or your TVM account by calling (410)697-2212 or by email at questions@CommuterDirect.com.