photo by Adam Fagen
From WMATA:
“Tap. Ride. Go. is live on Metrobus! Customers can now simply tap a contactless credit or debit card or use Apple Pay and Google Pay on bus farebox readers to pay for their fares.
Fares are required to ride Metrobus. Most routes cost $2.25, and express buses cost $4.80. Customers can now get a transfer discount between Metrorail and Metrobus by using the same card when transferring.
It’s another way Metro is improving our customers’ experience, making payment easier for visitors and occasional riders.”
“What you need to know about Tap. Ride. Go. on Metrobus
Each customer needs their own contactless card or virtual card. The same card cannot be used for multiple people on the same trip.
Avoid card clash! Take a single card out of your wallet to tap the card reader. Do not tap a wallet with multiple cards or a physical wallet on the back of a phone with a virtual credit card as it may charge both cards.
Customers can visit the customer dashboard and enter a debit or credit card number to view Tap. Ride. Go. transactions or request a refund.
To transfer between bus and rail, use the same card on both the bus card reader and rail faregate. Metrobus to Metrorail or Metrorail to Metrobus: Free transfers ($2.25 discount) within a two-hour period. The $2.25 discount does not cover the cost of transferring to/from express routes.
Metrobus to Metrobus transfers offers free, unlimited transfers within a two-hour period if you use the same card.
Any customer can use their contactless credit or debit card to pay at the bus card reader, however those who have fare discounts or SmartBenefits will still have to use their SmarTrip cards.
Multi-day passes are only available on SmarTrip.
Customers will also only be able to get their annual ridership statistics through Metro Rewind by using their SmarTrip card.
For more information on Tap. Ride. Go. and to read an FAQ, please visit wmata.com/tapridego.”