Pre-2012 SmarTrip Cards To Be Phased Out By Metro

WASHINGTON, DC — Metro SmarTrip cards made before 2012 look very similar to the newer cards, but soon the older cards won't be usable on the DC transit system.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced plans to phase out SmarTrip cards made before 2012 that contain outdated chip technology. The change will happen through a year-long rollout of new faregates in stations starting as soon as June and new bus fareboxes in 2022.

Riders who do not have a SmarTrip card made from 2012 and on are encouraged to get a new card before the changes begin. Metro estimated as many as 400,000 of the old SmarTrip cards were active before the COVID-19 pandemic, a fraction of the estimated six million active cards at the time.

Wondering how you can tell if your card was made before 2012? The trick is to check the serial number. All newer SmarTrip cards start with the serial number "0167" on the back. Cards that do not start with "0167" will not be compatible with the new faregates and fareboxes and will have to be replaced.

The pre-2012 SmarTrip cards will be phased out by station as new faregates are installed. Installation at the first stations will begin no earlier than June, and installation at remaining stations will be completed over the course of a year.

Riders can transfer balances to a new or existing SmarTrip card through mail-in, online, phone or in-person options. See instructions for replacing a SmarTrip card here.