If you still have some old SmarTrip cards laying around, it might be time to replace them. The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority. (WMATA) announced SmarTrip cards that were purchased before 2012 will no longer work and must be replaced by March 1.
Commuters, do you remember when you purchased your SmarTrip® card?
On March 1, SmarTrip® cards purchased before 2012 will no longer work and must be replaced.
To check to see if your card is out of date ▶️https://t.co/l49U02tvgK@MCDOTNow #MDCommuter @MCCCMD #MDTraffic pic.twitter.com/20KBRVDOnn
— mococommuter (@mococommuter) January 23, 2022
Metro is installing new fare gates at rail stations and will begin upgrading the fareboxes on Metrobuses in the fall. This change is meant to create a faster, more efficient and more reliable experience for commuters, according to the Metro website.
The way to check if your card needs to be replaced is to look at the back of the card. If the set of numbers at the bottom right doesn’t start with 0167 then you will need a new card.
If you must replace your card, here’s what to do next:
- For those with a balance currently on the old card, register your card online here and take a picture of it or write down the serial number on the back.
- You can also mail in your SmarTrip card if you don’t need it right away and Metro will include an additional $5 during a promotional period that ends on Jan. 31.
- If you currently have a newer card that you would like to transfer a balance onto, you can make the transfer online here.
- Those with SmartBenefits on their SmarTrip card cannot transfer balances using the mail-in process but can replace the old card through the online balance transfer process.
Several answered frequently asked questions can be viewed on the Metro website. The SmarTrip customer service line can be reached at 1-888-SMARTRIP (1-888-762-7874).
