SmarTrip®

Creating or Managing a SmarTrip® Account

With an online account, it's easy to add value and passes, view your card balance and usage history, manage associated cards, and register new cards. Both SmarTrip® and CharmCard® users may use these online card management features.

Now it's more convenient to report a lost/stolen card, transfer the remaining balance to your replacement card, and reset passwords through your online SmarTrip® account. It's all available at your fingertips online.

Once you complete the request process online, you will receive an email notifying you when the balance or fare product is ready to be loaded to your new card. You may also check on the status of the transfer by visiting your Account Summary. To load the value to your new card, touch the card to the target on a Metrorail faregate, Farecards and Passes machine, bus farebox, or MTA ticket vending machine.

Remember, transferring a balance to a replacement card may still take several business days, as all pending transactions must be verified and processed.

• Create an account.
• Log in to your account.
• Manage your account on your mobile device.
• Learn more about SmarTrip® online accounts.

SmarTrip® Card Benefits

SmarTrip® is a more convenient option than paying for your Metrorail trip with a paper farecard or paying for your Metrobus trip with cash. It also saves you money. On Metrorail, trips taken with a SmarTrip® card cost $1 less those taken with a paper farecard. On Metrobus, paying with SmarTrip® saves you 20¢ each trip versus paying cash. And SmarTrip® is the only way to take advantage of convenient, cost-saving transfer options between Metrobus and Metrorail.

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 a SmarTrip® card.

You may transfer the value of a used farecard (worth $20 or less) or an unused farecard of any value onto a SmarTrip® card. Each trade-in requires a separate transaction.

If you lose a registered 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. 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® cards: 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® cards.

Purchasing a SmarTrip® Card

It's easy to buy a SmarTrip® card. Purchase your card online with your Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.

You can also purchase a SmarTrip® card at any Metrorail station or at Metro sales offices, retail outlets and commuter stores.

A reduced fare SmarTrip® card is available for senior citizens and people with disabilities. To purchase a Senior SmarTrip® card, you must provide proof of age. People with disabilities must have a valid Metro Disability ID card to purchase the reduced fare SmarTrip® card.

Using the MTA CharmCard® on SmarTrip®

The CharmCard® is a rechargeable fare card issued by the Maryland Transit Administration. CharmCard® users may use the web services offered on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website to manage aspects of their card. CharmCard® users can follow the links below to:

• Purchase a card online
• Create a card account online
• Log in and manage a CharmCard® account