Metro Reminds Customers To Replace Old SmarTrip Cards

WASHINGTON, DC/VA — Metro’s oldest SmarTrip cards will no longer be accepted at faregates and fareboxes as of Tuesday, March 1.

Customers currently riding Metro or who plan to soon will need to replace their cards to travel on Metrorail or Metrobus after the deadline, Metro said Thursday. SmarTrip cards purchased before 2012 are no longer compatible with the system’s new faregates already installed in many stations.

While the ability to use the old farecards will be phased out on March 1, there will still be time to trade in the cards after the deadline. Any remaining balance on the old cards will not be lost and can be transferred to a new card at any time, Metro said.

Anyone who has recently used Metro can get a free replacement card within a few days by request via phone 1-888-SMARTRIP (1-888-762-7874) or online.

Customers also have the option of purchasing a new SmarTrip card at fare vending machines, retail locations or using mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android. The balance can then be transferred to the new card using your registered SmarTrip account.

Customers who are unable to use the phone, mail or online replacement process may go in-person to the Metro Center Sales Office. The office, which is normally open Tuesday through Thursday, will operate extended hours through March 1 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and will also open Friday, Feb. 25 and Monday, Feb. 28 to assist customers with additional staff available.

The phaseout of older SmarTrip cards is part of Metro’s fare system modernization that includes new faregates and fareboxes and mobile fare payment options that will make the customer experience quicker and more convenient.

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