SmarTrip®

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What Is a SmarTrip® Card?

SmarTrip® is a permanent, rechargeable farecard. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card.

Using SmarTrip® is fast and easy. Instead of inserting a farecard through the Metrorail faregate slot, you simply touch the SmarTrip® card to the circular targets on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip® farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip®. En espanol.
SmarTrip® Card Benefits

You may add up to $300 in Metro value on a SmarTrip® card, so it can last a long time between charging. See how to add value to SmarTrip®.

You may transfer the value of a used farecard or Metrochek (worth $7 or less) or an unused Metrochek or farecard of any value toward the value of a SmarTrip® card. Each trade-in requires a separate transaction.

If you lose the card, you don't lose the value. For a $5 fee to replace the card itself, we'll issue you a new SmarTrip® card with the value on the card at the time you notified us it was lost. For this important replacement feature, you must register your card. You can register your SmarTrip® card online.

SmarTrip® also has the advantage of allowing you to pay fares on numerous providers with just one card. The following area transit providers accept SmarTrip®: DASH, Ride On, Fairfax Connector, ART, CUE, Loudoun County Transit, Omniride, TheBus, DC Circulator and registered van pools. The remaining commuter buses and rail systems will eventually accept SmarTrip®.
Purchasing a SmarTrip® Card

It's easy to buy SmarTrip®. Purchase your card online with your Visa, Mastercard or Discover card. The total cost of buying online is $30. That's because your SmarTrip® card will be mailed to you with $25 in value already on the card.

Purchase at Metro sales offices, retail outlets and commuter stores for $5. SmarTrip® cards are also sold for $10 (with $5 value loaded) through vending machines at all stations where parking is available.

Note: Senior citizens (65 and older) must have proof of age to purchase a reduced fare Senior SmarTrip® card. Persons with disabilities must have a valid Metro Disability ID card to purchase the reduced fare SmarTrip® card.