2 weeks ago I had that happen on the blue/orange line at Metro Center heading towards Eastern Market. The train was full of Caps fans and the driver did not give enough time for everyone to get off let alone ANYONE from the platform to get on.

I was standing and got pushed out with the wave of people trying to get out of the train and ended up standing on the platform waiting to get back on when the chimes sounded. I pushed my way back through the disembarking passengers to get back on the train. It was 10 minutes until the next Blue/Orange line.

Every stop after that the driver was in such a rush that as soon as the doors opened she sounded the chimes and they closed again. They weren't open for more than 10 seconds at each platform.

I personally don't have a problem with them doing away with negative balances. I just wish the exit fare machines took credit cards.

Since, like most people I've never used an exit fare machine because i always use a SmarTrip, I am a bit confused as to how this will work. Will you buy a paper card from the machine which you will insert after touching your SmarTrip to the contact? Or does the machine add money to your card?