What My Metro Pay is and how to use it
My Metro Pay is the online portal where you can view your transit bill, make one-time payments, and set up automatic payments if your local Metro system offers that option. You log in with your account number and password, and the system shows what you owe and when it's due. The portal works for any transit pass, fare card, or monthly billing account your Metro system manages.
Not every Metro system uses the same portal or offers the same payment methods, so the exact steps depend on which city you're in. The most common Metro systems with online billing are in Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, though many smaller cities have their own versions. If you're not sure whether your local transit system uses My Metro Pay, check your bill — it will say which website to visit or which phone number to call.
Key Takeaways
- My Metro Pay lets you pay your transit bill online using a debit card, credit card, or bank account, depending on your Metro system's options.
- You need your account number and a password to log in; if you don't have an account yet, you can create one on the same website using your bill.
- One-time payments usually show up in your account within one to three business days, though some systems process them faster.
- If you prefer not to use the website, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill, or call the customer service number to pay by phone.
- Setting up automatic payments through My Metro Pay can help you avoid late fees, but you can cancel anytime if your circumstances change.
How to create a My Metro Pay account
If you have a bill but haven't set up an online account yet, you'll need your account number and the zip code associated with your account. Your account number appears on your physical bill, usually near the top or bottom. Go to your Metro system's website — for example, wmata.com for DC Metro or metro.net for Los Angeles — and look for a link that says "Pay My Bill," "My Account," or "Customer Portal."
Click the option to create a new account or register. You'll enter your account number, zip code, and email address. The system will ask you to create a password — make it something you can remember but that's not obvious, like a birthday or pet name. After you submit, you should receive a confirmation email. Click the link in that email to set up your account, then log back in with your new password.
Once you're logged in, you'll see your current balance, due date, and payment history. Some systems show your next billing cycle too. If you don't see your account information right away, wait a few minutes and refresh the page — sometimes it takes a moment for new accounts to sync.
Making a one-time payment online
Log into My Metro Pay with your account number and password. Look for a button or link that says "Make a Payment," "Pay Now," or "Pay My Bill" — it's usually on the main dashboard or in a menu at the top. Click it, and the system will show your current balance and ask how much you want to pay. You can pay the full amount due, a partial payment, or more than you owe (the extra will show as a credit on your next bill).
Next, choose your payment method. Most Metro systems accept debit cards and credit cards. Some also let you pay directly from a checking or savings account using your routing number and account number — this method usually has no fee, while card payments sometimes charge a small processing fee. Enter the payment information the system asks for, review the amount one more time, and click "Confirm" or "Submit."
You'll see a confirmation number on the screen — write it down or take a screenshot. The system will also send a confirmation email to the address on file. The payment usually posts to your account within one to three business days, though some systems are faster. If you don't see the payment reflected after three business days, contact customer service with your confirmation number.
Setting up automatic payments
If your Metro system offers automatic payments, you can set them up through My Metro Pay so you never have to remember to pay manually. Log in, look for "Automatic Payments," "Recurring Payments," or "Autopay," and click it. The system will ask you to choose a payment method — usually a debit card or bank account — and a payment date.
Most systems let you pick the date your bill is due, or a few days before, so the payment goes through automatically. You'll also choose whether you want to pay the full balance each month or a set amount. After you confirm, the system will process the first payment on your chosen date and every month after that. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging back into My Metro Pay and updating your settings — you don't need to call or send anything in.
Automatic payments can help you avoid late fees and keep your account in good standing, especially if you have a monthly pass or regular fare card charges. Just make sure the payment method you choose has enough money available on the payment date, or the payment may fail and you could be charged a fee.
Paying by mail or phone if you don't use the website
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your bill. Write your account number on the check or money order so the payment gets credited to the right account. Mail it to the address listed under "Make a Payment" or "Send Payment To" — do not send it to a customer service office unless the bill specifically says to. Mail payments usually take one to two weeks to arrive and post, so send them early if your due date is coming up.
You can also pay by phone by calling the customer service number on your bill. A representative will ask for your account number and payment method — usually a debit card or credit card — and process the payment right away. Phone payments are faster than mail but may charge a small fee. Some Metro systems also accept payments at physical locations like transit stations or customer service offices, though this is less common. Check your bill or the Metro website to see what options are available in your area.
What to do if you can't pay your full bill
If your bill is due but you can't pay the full amount right now, contact your Metro system's customer service before the due date. Some systems offer payment plans that let you split what you owe into smaller payments over a few weeks or months. Others may be able to pause service temporarily or adjust your billing cycle if you explain your situation.
Making a partial payment is better than paying nothing, because it shows you're working on the bill and may help you avoid late fees or service suspension. Even if you can only pay part of what you owe, log into My Metro Pay or call customer service and make that payment. Then ask what options exist for the rest — many systems are willing to work with you if you reach out before you fall behind.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you forgot your password, look for a "Forgot Password" link on the My Metro Pay login page. Click it, enter your account number or email address, and the system will send you a link to create a new password. Check your email (including spam folders) for the reset link. If you don't receive it within a few minutes, try again or call customer service for help.
If your payment was rejected, the most common reasons are an incorrect card number, an expired card, or insufficient funds in your bank account. Check that your payment method is current and has enough money available. If it does, try again or use a different payment method. If the payment fails a second time, call customer service — they can tell you exactly why it didn't go through and help you fix it.
If you see a charge on your card but the payment hasn't shown up in My Metro Pay yet, wait one to three business days. Payments sometimes take time to post even though the charge appears when ready on your card. If more than three business days have passed, log in with your confirmation number and contact customer service — they can track the payment and make sure it gets credited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay through My Metro Pay?
Most Metro systems don't charge a fee if you pay directly from a bank account, but credit and debit card payments sometimes include a small processing fee — usually between 2 and 3 percent of the amount you're paying. The system will tell you the fee before you confirm the payment. Paying by mail or phone usually has no fee, though phone payments may charge the same card processing fee as online.
Can I pay someone else's Metro bill through My Metro Pay?
No — My Metro Pay only lets you pay the account you're logged into. If you want to pay someone else's bill, ask them to log in and make the payment themselves, or contact customer service to ask if they allow third-party payments. Some systems do allow it if you have the account number and can verify your relationship to the account holder.
What happens if I pay more than I owe?
The extra money stays in your account as a credit and will be applied to your next bill. You can also request a refund by contacting customer service, though some systems may charge a small fee to process it. If you set up automatic payments, make sure you're paying the right amount so you don't build up a large credit by accident.
How long does it take for automatic payments to start?
The first automatic payment usually goes through on the date you choose, which could be the same day you set it up or a few days later depending on when you set it up in your billing cycle. After that, payments happen automatically on the same date each month. If your first payment doesn't go through, check your email for a notification and contact customer service to find out why.
Can I change my payment date if I'm on automatic payments?
Yes — log into My Metro Pay, find your automatic payment settings, and change the date. The new date will take effect on your next scheduled payment. If you need to change it before your next payment is about to process, do it as soon as possible, or call customer service to make sure the change goes through in time.