What is SmarTrip^®?

SmarTrip is a rechargeable farecard that you can use on many public transportation systems throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia including Metrorail and Metrobus.  Having one farecard makes bus and train transfers easy, and with SmarTrip there’s no need to carry bus tokens or worry about having exact change for your fare.

Where Can I Get a SmarTrip Card?

Your SmarTrip card will cost $5 to purchase.  Some sales locations sell cards with pre-loaded amounts already on them; therefore, the cost would be $5 plus the pre-loaded amount.  You may purchase a SmarTrip card at:

LOCAL AREA

How Do I Register My Card?

SmarTrip cards must be registered in order to receive SmartBenefits or to have value from a lost, stolen, or damaged card transferred to a new card.  To register your card, visit SmarTrip.com.  If you purchased your card online or by mail, it is already registered.

How Do I Pay My Fare?

• Each passenger must have their own SmarTrip card.
• Simply touch your SmarTrip card to the SmarTrip target on top of the electronic farebox.  The appropriate fare will be automatically deducted from your card. 
• OmniRide and Metro Direct passengers who pay with a SmarTrip card receive discounted fares. 
• All passengers may pay with cash ($1, $5, $10 or $20 bills and coins - no pennies).
• OmniLink passengers may pay with tokens.
• Those who qualify for reduced fares on PRTC buses must pay with cash or with a Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card (available through the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) in order to receive the discount.
• Local bus Day Passes must be paid for with cash.
• OmniLink off-route surcharges must be paid for with cash.

How Do I Pay a Reduced Fare?

PRTC offers reduced fares all day on OmniLink and Cross County Connector buses, and during non-peak hours (9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.) on OmniRide and Metro Direct buses.  Passengers qualify for reduced fares on PRTC buses if they are at least 60 years old, or if they have a disability or a valid Medicare card.  Riders eligible for reduced fares on PRTC buses must pay with cash or with a WMATA-issued Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card.

If you have a WMATA-issued Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip card, simply tap your card to the SmarTrip target.  The farebox on PRTC buses and on all other regional carriers will automatically deduct the reduced fare, if applicable.  For more information about Senior (65+)/Disabled SmarTrip cards, please call (202) 962-1558 or visit this page on Metro’s website: www.wmata.com/accessibility/fares.cfm.

How Do I Make a Transfer with a SmarTrip Card?

When making a transfer, whether between PRTC buses or between a PRTC bus and another regional transit provider, the electronic farebox will calculate and automatically deduct the correct fare from your SmarTrip card.  Transfers must be made within 3 hours of boarding to receive credit.  All PRTC transfer rules apply, including:

• No local bus to local bus transfer credit, except between the PRTC Transit Center and Potomac Mills Mall – operator will issue a paper transfer.
• No credit will be given when transferring between PRTC buses and Metrorail.

How Do I Add Money To My SmarTrip Card?

To load value on the bus:

• Before you tap your card to the target, push the ADD VALUE button on the farebox.  (If you touch the card to the target prior to pushing the ADD VALUE button, the farebox will deduct your fare).
• Touch your card to the SmarTrip target.
• Insert cash $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills or coins (no pennies) to load up to a maximum of $300 total value on the card.  To prevent delays, please limit on-board loading of your card to three bills. 
• Touch your card to the SmarTrip target again to upload the value.
• Touch your card once more to deduct the fare for your trip.

To load value at a Metrorail station using a Passes/Farecard machine, follow the machine instructions.  You may load value to your SmarTrip card using MetroCheks, Metrorail paper farecards, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), and ATM/debit cards. 

To check the available balance on your SmarTrip card, push the CHECK VALUE button before you tap the card to the target.  Your card balance will appear on the display screen.

What If I Have a Problem With My SmarTrip Card?

If you have trouble using your SmarTrip card on the bus, you will have to pay for your trip with cash.  If you have questions or problems using your SmarTrip card, contact Metro at (888) 762-7874 or visit SmarTrip.com.

Where Can I Use a SmarTrip Card?

Along with PRTC, these regional carriers also accept SmarTrip:

• ART – Arlington County
• CUE – Fairfax City
• DASH – Alexandria
• DC Circulator
• Fairfax Connector
• Loudoun County Transit
• Metrorail and Metrobus
• Ride On – Montgomery County

Can I Transfer My SmartBenefits to My SmarTrip Card?

Learn more about SmarTrip and SmartBenefits:

(888) 762-7874
Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SmarTrip -- www.SmarTrip.com

SmartBenefits -- www.MetroOpensDoors.com