Your Metro SmarTrip card might not work soon. Here's how to replace it.

by Don Parker Friday, April 9th 2021

WASHINGTON (7News) — If you have an older Metro SmarTrip card, you’ll need to replace it soon. ... Metro is upgrading its fare payment technology and will be phasing out the original SmarTrip cards.

Over the next year, beginning in June, Metro will be converting faregates, fareboxes and fare payment options to a new system. Metro says it will be easier and quicker to pay your fare, but your old card won’t work. ... The chip technology on first generation SmarTrip cards produced before 2012 is becoming outdated.

You can find out if you need to replace your card by checking the serial number on the back. The newer SmarTrip cards start with the serial number “0167." If yours starts with any other numbers, it’s time to replace it.

Metro has several ways to replace your card, including mail-in, online, phone or in-person. You can transfer any balance to a new or existing SmarTrip card or virtual SmarTrip card on a mobile device. ... For instructions on how to transfer your balance to a new or existing SmarTrip card click HERE.