Metro payment methods and where to send your money

Metro — the transit agency serving the Washington, D.C. region — accepts payments through their official website, by phone, through automatic bank transfers, and by mail. The fastest route is their online payment portal at wmata.com, where you can pay a bill when ready using a debit or credit card. If you prefer not to use a card, you can call their payment line at 202-637-7000 during business hours, mail a check to their downtown office, or set up automatic monthly payments directly from your bank account.

The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment processed and whether you want to keep a record through your bank or through Metro's system. Online and phone payments typically post within one business day. Mailed checks take five to seven business days to arrive and clear, so plan ahead if your bill is due soon.

Key Takeaways

  • Metro's online payment portal at wmata.com accepts debit and credit cards and processes payments within one business day.
  • You can pay by phone at 202-637-7000 during business hours if you have your account number and a card ready.
  • Automatic bank transfers set up through your own bank account avoid card fees and may support payments arrive on time each month.
  • Mailed checks should be sent at least a week before your due date to account for postal and processing delays.
  • Metro's payment system requires your account number, which appears on your bill or account statement.

Paying online through Metro's website

Go to wmata.com and look for the "Pay Your Bill" or "Payments" link, usually located in the top navigation or under an account section. You will need your Metro account number, which is printed on your bill. Enter that number, and the system will pull up your current balance and any past-due amounts.

Select the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a specific bill. Enter your debit or credit card information and confirm. Metro does not charge a processing fee for online card payments, though your card issuer may treat it as a cash advance or purchase depending on their terms. The payment posts to your account within one business day, and you will receive a confirmation number when ready.

Keep that confirmation number for your records. If you need to dispute the payment later or verify it went through, Metro's customer service team can look it up by that number.

Paying by phone

Call Metro's payment line at 202-637-7000. Have your account number ready, along with a debit or credit card. A representative will ask you to verify your account, confirm the amount you want to pay, and take your card information over the phone. The call typically takes five to ten minutes.

Phone payments process the same way as online payments — within one business day — and you will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. This method is useful if you are not comfortable entering card details online or if you have questions about your bill that a representative can answer while processing the payment.

Setting up automatic payments from your bank account

Automatic payments are the most reliable way to may support your Metro bill never goes unpaid. You can set this up through your own bank's bill-pay system or by contacting Metro directly to authorize recurring transfers. If you use your bank's bill-pay feature, you will write Metro's mailing address into your bank's system and set the payment amount and frequency.

Metro's mailing address for bill payments is: Metro, P.O. Box 96734, Washington, D.C. 20090-6734. Your bank will mail the check on your behalf according to the schedule you set. Alternatively, you can call Metro at 202-637-7000 and ask about setting up automatic electronic transfers directly from your checking account. This method avoids card fees entirely and creates a paper trail through your bank statement.

Set the payment to arrive at least five business days before your due date to account for mail delivery and processing time.

Paying by mail with a check

Write a check to Metro and include your account number on the memo line. Mail it to: Metro, P.O. Box 96734, Washington, D.C. 20090-6734. Include your account number somewhere on the envelope as well, so if the check becomes separated from the memo line, Metro's processing team can still match it to your account.

Mail typically takes three to five business days to arrive, and Metro needs another two to three business days to process and post the payment. If your bill is due in fewer than seven days, mailing a check is risky — use online payment or phone payment instead. If you are paying an overdue bill, the sooner you mail it, the sooner late fees stop accumulating.

What happens after you pay

Metro updates your account within one business day of receiving payment, whether you paid online, by phone, or by automatic transfer. Your next bill will reflect the payment and show your new balance. If you paid online or by phone, you can log into your account on wmata.com to confirm the payment posted.

If you paid by mail and do not see the payment reflected after ten business days, call 202-637-7000 with your check number and the date you mailed it. Metro's team can trace the check and confirm whether it arrived and was processed.

Handling payment problems and disputes

If a payment was deducted from your account but does not appear on your Metro bill, contact Metro when ready with your confirmation number. If you paid online or by phone, you have that number from the transaction. If you paid by mail, provide the check number and mailing date. Metro can usually locate the payment within one or two business days.

If you believe you were charged twice or if a payment was processed for the wrong amount, call 202-637-7000 with your account number and the dates of the transactions in question. Metro will review the payments and issue a credit to your account if an error occurred. Credits typically appear within five to seven business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Metro bill with a prepaid card?

Yes, if the prepaid card is Visa or Mastercard and has a current balance. Metro's online and phone payment systems treat prepaid cards the same as debit cards. Make sure the card has enough funds to cover the payment before you attempt it.

What if I miss a payment important date?

Metro typically adds a late fee to your account after the due date passes. Contact them when ready to pay the overdue balance plus any fees. Paying as soon as you realize you missed the important date stops additional fees from accumulating. Call 202-637-7000 to discuss payment options if you cannot pay the full amount at once.

Can I pay someone else's Metro bill?

Yes, if you have their account number. You can pay online or by phone using your own card, and the payment will post to their account. You do not need their permission to make a payment, though it is good practice to let them know first so they do not think there is a billing error.

Does Metro charge a fee to pay online?

Metro does not charge a processing fee for online or phone payments. Your card issuer may charge a fee if they classify the transaction as a cash advance, so check your card's terms. Automatic bank transfers and mailed checks have no fees.

How do I know if my payment went through?

Online and phone payments generate a confirmation number when ready. Write it down or take a screenshot. You can also log into your Metro account on wmata.com within one business day to see the payment reflected in your account history. For mailed checks, Metro will show the payment in your account after ten business days.