WMATA working on system to allow riders to tap their credit cards directly for rides

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is testing a system that would allow riders to tap their credit or debit card directly to pay for a ride instead of a SmarTrip card.

“Tap Ride and Go @wmata staff testing underway (no it won’t work for you). Can’t wait to launch credit and debit card tap….stay tuned for more details later this month,” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke wrote on X Friday, captioning a picture showing him tapping a Bank of America VISA cash rewards card to get through a Metrorail station gate.

In addition to physical cards, the “Tap. Ride. Go” initiative will also allow the use of mobile devices connected to credit and debit accounts, all with no added fees, according to a Metro budget report from April. Currently, riders can put their SmarTrip card information into a mobile wallet and then use a phone to tap for a ride.

Testing is focused on Metrorail, starting with select stations and then a second wave of testing nationwide, according to a slide shown at Thursday’s Metro Board of Directors meeting. Metro does plan to test the new payment options for Metrobus and parking facilities as well.

“Bus and parking coming in next phase later this year. We didn’t want to wait to be perfect and get benefits for customers as fast as possible,” Mr. Clarke said in another post on X.