Old Metro cards won’t work as of March 1

If you have an older SmarTrip Metro card, it won’t work as of March 1.

Old cards must be replaced by March 1, either in person, online, or by regular mail.

Metro is placing all of its fare gates in Metro stations and fare boxes on Metrobuses. Farecards purchased before 2012 contain outdated chip technology and will no longer be accepted at fare vending machines, fare gates, fare boxes, or Metro parking lots.

To see if your SmarTrip card needs to be replaced, look for 0167 in the series of numbers on the back of the card. If 0167 is there, the card is usable; if not, you’ll need to replace it.

Old cards can be replaced in person only at the Metro Sales Office located at the Metro Center station. It’s only open Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon. News articles report long lines with waits of up to two hours.

If you have SmartBenefits on your SmarTrip card, you must use the online option to have the balance transferred to a new card.

If you’re not an active Metro rider and don’t have SmartBenefits on your card, you can send your old cards and this form to Metro and have the balance transferred to a new card. Metro promises to send the new card within 10 business days.

Send the form and your cards to WMATA Fare Media Services Card Replacement, 3301 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314.

The mail-in option is the best way to replace an old Metro card for those who don’t need it right away, Metro suggests, because it doesn’t require a visit to a station or bus to complete the transfer.

Other replacement methods require the first-generation card to be tapped at a fare gate, bus fare box, or fare vending machine to complete the transfer – unless you’re a SmartBenefits participant.

The new Metro fare gates have larger displays; increased safety features, including improved motion sensors; and more hands-free service options through a kiosk-mounted payment validator and mobile payment through Apple and Google Play.