Washington - Using a SmarTrip card on your Metro commute is about to get even smarter as electronic fare card holders will soon be able to get a big discount on their transfers between bus and rail.

Metro hopes the added incentive will result in commuters going completely paperless, only using the plastic SmarTrip cards. Even though eliminating the option of paper will mean saving up to 50 cents a trip for those who board a train within three hours after hopping on a bus, there has already been some resistance from passengers.

"I think everybody will be upset," said Shawniek Webb, a bus passenger.

"I can see where Metro is coming from, but people are going to get angry regardless," said, Marcus Reynolds, another bus passenger.

And in some extremes passengers have allegedly taken their frustrations out on bus drivers. "He threw something at me and hit my face...the week before I was threatened, spit on, all behind transfers," said Metro Bus Operator Nesaline Davis.

But already cash-strapped Metro estimates offering the discounts will cost the transit agency about $2 million annually, but insists the change is for the better. Not only will it speed up service, but they believe it will cut down on fraud, which could be costing the transit agency an estimated $5 million, or more, every year.

Free bus-to-bus transfers will be eliminated Jan. 4. The phasing out of paper transfers was part of a fare and fee hike the board approved last year. It also includes discounts on rail-to-bus transfers. Beginning Jan. 4, the discounts will be available only to those who use electronic SmarTrip fare cards. With the smart card, a Metrobus ride costs $1.25; with cash, it's $1.35. Metro has long wanted to be rid of paper transfers to cut costs and fraud and speed bus boarding.

Metro has more information on its Web site and plans to do more promotional campaigns to make sure all potential customers are on board.