The short answer
This charge is from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), commonly known as the Metro, which serves Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Why am I seeing a WMATA SmarTrip charge?
A charge appearing as "WMATA SMARTRIP" or simply "Metro" typically occurs when you reload funds onto your physical or digital SmarTrip card. You may have manually added funds, or an Auto Reload feature was triggered when your balance fell below a certain amount.
You will also see this charge if you purchased a brand new SmarTrip card, which includes a one-time $2 fee.
If you use WMATA's "Tap. Ride. Go." system and tap your personal credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet (like Apple Pay) directly at a faregate or bus farebox, the charge will often appear as "Metro" or "WMATA" rather than "SmarTrip". Keeping close track of your monthly statements ensures complete financial security and prevents unexpected surprises from recurring charges.
Resolving double charges and card clash
If you tapped your entire wallet against a Metro faregate reader, or if you tapped in with a SmarTrip card but tapped out with a credit card, the system may charge both methods. Additionally, failing to complete a trip properly can result in the system charging a maximum fare.
Check your digital wallets (Apple Wallet, Google Pay) to ensure you do not have an active transit card set to "Express Transit" mode, which might trigger a charge simply by walking too close to a reader.
How to verify and dispute a charge
- Visit wmata.littlepay.com if you used a contactless credit card to view your transaction and trip history.
- If you used a SmarTrip card, log in to your account at wmata.com to check your reload history and trip logs.
- If you believe you were charged incorrectly (e.g., being double-charged or failing to exit properly), contact WMATA Customer Service at 202-637-7000 to request a fare adjustment.
Why did WMATA charge my card or bank account?
Charges from WMATA under statement descriptor "WMATA SMARTRIP" usually correspond to authorized direct purchases, digital orders, or recurring membership renewals.
How do I cancel future charges or dispute an error with WMATA?
Log in to your WMATA account portal at https://www.wmata.com to cancel your subscription or request an order adjustment.
Independent reference — not affiliated with WMATA. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- WMATA Contactless Information https://www.wmata.com
- CFPB Cardholder Dispute & Billing Rights Guide https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-a-charge-on-my-credit-card-en-1965/
Reviewed Aug 31, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges