New Feature: You can now pay for Metrorail by tapping your contactless credit or debit card at the faregate.

• SmarTrip cards will still be accepted.
• To use our new Tap. Ride. Go. feature, there's no need to sign up, register, or purchase a SmarTrip card.
• This is an extra feature. No other changes are being made.
• For reduced fares, passes, transfers, parking discount, or SmartBenefits, continue to use your SmarTrip card for now.

How to Use Tap. Ride. Go.

1. Select your contactless credit or debit card (physical card or mobile wallet).
2. Tap your card or device at any Metrorail faregate to enter a station.
3. Enjoy your ride.
4. Tap your same card or device at any Metrorail faregate to exit a station.

Tap. Ride. Go. Is for Metrorail Full-Fare Riders Only

• Tap. Ride. Go. is currently for Metrorail Customers ONLY. Metrobus and parking will be added in the future.

Benefits of Tap. Ride. Go.

• No need to visit a fare machine to purchase or add value to a SmarTrip card.
• Simplified fare payment for visitors, tourists, business travelers, and occasional riders.
• Ability to use your existing or preferred payment methods.

Specifics for Tap. Ride. Go.

• Each customer needs their own physical contactless card or mobile-enabled device.
• SmarTrip will continue to be an option.
• Most contactless cards are accepted, including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. If you can tap it to pay in a store, you can use it for Tap. Ride. Go.
• Tap. Ride. Go. is available at all Metrorail stations.
• Charges for each ride will show up on your credit card or bank statement as Metro.
• When you tap in and tap out at a Metrorail faregate, make sure to use the same contactless card or device.
• Tap only the contactless card you intend to use at the faregate to avoid "card clash" (i.e., don't tap your whole physical wallet).
• If you have a valid card added, the following are accepted: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay.

Apple Pay + Tap. Ride. Go.

• Just like SmarTrip, you can use Express Mode with your debit or credit card in Apple Wallet on Metrorail. With Express Mode, you won't have to unlock or wake up your iPhone or Apple Watch.
• To enable Express Mode, go to Apple Wallet and select your debit or credit card. Then tap on the circle button with three dots and choose Account Details. Scroll down to Express Transit and turn on Express Transit. Only one debit or credit card can be enabled for Express Mode at a time.
  • Without Express Mode enabled, in order to pay a fare you will have to authenticate using TouchID or FaceID, like you do when you pay with Apple Pay at the store.
• If you have both a SmarTrip card and a credit or debit card in Apple Wallet, your SmarTrip card will be used to pay when you tap. If you prefer to pay for your trips with your credit or debit card, then you should enable Express Mode on your preferred payment card and disable Express Mode on your SmarTrip card.
• Apple devices that support Express Transit: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, or later, with iOS 12.3 or later, or Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 2, or later, with watchOS 5.2.1 or later.
• Certain iPhone devices support power reserve, which allows you to use your Express Transit card even when it needs to be charged. Power reserve works up to 5 hours with Express Transit cards.
• Cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is not required to pay for Metrorail with Apple Pay.

Google Pay + Tap. Ride. Go.

• You don't need to unlock your phone or watch or even wake up the screen before you tap.
• Your phone needs to be on, but you don't need access to cellular or Wi-Fi service.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tap. Ride. Go.

Why are we offering Tap. Ride. Go.?

We wanted to offer a way to pay without purchasing or using a SmarTrip card. The goal is to always make our system more inviting and accessible for everyone.

What is a contactless credit or debit card?

A contactless credit or debit card is a card that allows you to pay by tapping or waving it near a payment terminal. You can also use contactless mobile payments with a smartphone application.

Do all cards work under Tap. Ride. Go?

Only cards with the contactless symbol work when tapping in to and out of the Metrorail system.

How can I see how much I was charged for a trip?

When using Tap. Ride. Go. on Metro, the cost of the trip will not be shown on the gate display at exit. A successful transaction will display a green checkmark for approved entries and exits.

If you would like to see your transactional data in near real time, you can use the customer dashboard, view the transaction in your Wallet on your mobile device, or use your issuing bank's app or website.

How can I get more information about the Tap. Ride. Go. charges on my credit card?

Please visit our customer dashboard to view your charges for each card used.  You will need your credit or debit card number to look up transactions. If you have trouble viewing virtual card transactions, please contact us at 202-GO-METRO (202-466-3876).

What is the Tap. Ride. Go. refund policy and how do I request one?

Customers using Tap. Ride. Go. are not eligible for a refund once a trip is complete and the correct fare has been charged. If a customer has been charged an incorrect fare, an adjustment or refund will be made to the original payment method.

Customers are responsible for ensuring they are using the correct payment method for the fare they wish to pay. Fraudulent charges should be addressed directly with the customer's bank or card issuer. To view Tap. Ride. Go. transactions, corresponding trips, and submit a refund request, visit the Metro Customer Dashboard at wmata.littlepay.com.

What happens if my physical cards and devices are accidentally charged at the same time?

Only one card will ever be charged at a time. To ensure that only your chosen payment method is charged, always keep your physical cards separate from your Apple devices when paying for transit using Express Mode.

If I use Tap. Ride. Go., can I continue to use SmarTrip?

Yes, but only use one payment method per trip. Since they are separate ways of paying, you have the option to use either one for each trip.

Will Reduced Fare Programs work with Tap. Ride. Go.?

Not at this time. For reduced fares, including the Senior discount and Metro Lift, you will need to continue to use your SmarTrip card.

Can my child use my credit card? How about if I'm not with them?

Your child may use your contactless credit card but each customer must have their own card.

Your child must be 13 years of age or older to use Apple Pay and 16 years of age for Google Pay. Parents can supervise their children's use of these services.

Apple now has a feature called Apple Cash Family, which allows parents to set up Apple Cash accounts for children under 18, enabling them to send, receive, and spend money using Apple Pay. This feature also allows parents to view their child's spending, set limits, and even lock the account.

Up to two children (age 4 and younger) can ride free with each fare-paying adult. Children aged 5 and older pay regular fare.

Is SmarTrip going away?

Certainly not! SmarTrip will continue to be Metro's main payment system. Tap. Ride. Go. is another convenient alternative that provides additional value for our wide range of customers.

Will Metro do fare capping with Tap. Ride. Go?

Fare capping will not be a part of the initial roll out of Tap. Ride. Go. Fare capping lets customers take unlimited free trips after they pay a fixed amount in a set time. Metro's Board of Directors and management will talk about this policy at a later date.

When will Metrobus and parking be included?

This is a phased rollout. Tap. Ride. Go. will be available to pay for Metrobus and parking in the future.

Can I use Tap. Ride. Go. with my employee transit benefits (i.e., SmartBenefits)?

No. For now, you will still have to use your SmarTrip.

What happens if my phone doesn't have battery to access my mobile wallet?

You could tap your physical contactless card if you have it.

If your Android or Apple phone is completely dead, it will not work for fare payment. Your phone must be on and awake.

For Apple phones, please see the Apple section above for specific information.

What if I have a problem with my card or phone leaving the station, how do I get out?

Speak to the Station Manager on duty, and they will assist you.

Does the grace period still apply if I leave a station within 15 minutes?

Yes, Metro will still have a grace period. Customers will not incur charges if they enter and exit the same rail station within 15 minutes.

Can a gift card be used for Tap. Ride. Go.?

Yes, a gift can be used if it is contactless and the card issuer allows its use on transit. Not all gift cards meet these requirements.

Will I still be able to use Metro Rewind to see my annual ridership stats?

No. If you want your annual report, you will need to continue to use SmarTrip.

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