New tech allowing Metro users to pay their fare by tapping debit or credit cards is receiving good grades from local leaders.
At a meeting last week, representatives on the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors said the new “Tap-Ride-Go” initiative will benefit both regular and infrequent users of the regional system.
“The acceptance of this program already has been hugely successful. The numbers are well beyond the expectation we had,” said Virginia representative Paul Smedberg at a Thursday meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).
WMATA rolled out the Tap-Ride-Go initiative on May 28.
In part, the effort is designed to support people visiting the D.C. area who may not be familiar with existing payment options. Riders can now just tap their cards at the faregates and enter the system without having to download software or purchase a SmarTrip card.
But even longtime users have found the new option a plus.
“It’s been a blessing,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who serves on the NVTC board. “I’ve been impressed how easy it is. It’s been incredible.”
The tap-and-go alternative is receiving its first major real-world test during WorldPride events. Smedberg said that, at stations close to events connected with the festival, nearly 70% of trips have used the new tap-and-go option during peak periods.
Additional special events over the coming year will also be monitored to determine use trends, leading up to what could be a large crowd of visitors over the summer of 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
The new options are designed to complement, not replace, existing payment methods. Those who are old-school in their usage habits can continue with no alteration to their current behavior.
Among those in that user group is NVTC chair David Snyder, a member of the Falls Church City Council.
“I’m in love with my Metro farecard,” he said.
Debit and credit cards currently cannot be used on Metrobuses, but that day will come, Smedberg said.
Changes coming to Virginia’s WMATA representation
NVTC members also voted on changes to Virginia representation on the WMATA board of directors.
Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will replace Loudoun County Supervisor Matt Letourneau as Virginia’s second voting member of the WMATA board. He joins Paul Smedberg, who represents the state government on the body.
Letourneau has served on the WMATA board since 2020. His rotation off is standard practice.
“It’s always been NVTC’s intent to rotate membership on the board by jurisdiction,” said commission chair David Snyder.
Filling Alcorn’s slot as alternative director will be Arlington County Board member Matt de Ferranti, who will serve as an alternate along with Alexandria City Council member Canek Aguirre.
All changes are effective July 1.
The WMATA board consists of eight primary and eight alternate members, with two in each category coming from Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and the federal government.
Also on June 5, de Ferranti was appointed to chair NVTC’s WMATA committee, a leadership post always occupied by one of the two alternate Metro board members.
De Ferranti had previously chaired the NVTC board in 2024 .
