How to Pay Your Metro Transit Bill Online and by Mail

Metro bill payment methods and where to send your money

Metro (the transit agency serving the Washington, D.C. region) accepts bill payments through their website, by mail, and at some in-person locations. The fastest route is online through their account portal, which processes payments when ready. If you prefer mail, Metro's payment processing center receives checks and money orders, though mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to clear.

Metro bills cover transit fares, parking fees, or other services depending on what you use. The payment method you choose depends on whether you need the payment recorded right away or have time to wait for mail processing.

Key Takeaways

• Online payments through Metro's website process the same day and require your account number and payment amount.
• Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them early if you have a due date.
• Metro's payment processing center address is the only mailing address you should use; sending to other Metro offices delays processing.
• If your bill is past due, paying online is faster and reduces the risk of late fees during mail transit time.

Paying online through Metro's website

Go to wmata.com and log into your account using your email address and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one by entering your email and setting a password. Once logged in, look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Account" section, which varies slightly depending on what type of bill you have.

Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Metro charges no fee for bank account payments but may charge a small fee for credit or debit card transactions (the fee amount appears before you confirm). After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. The payment posts to your account the same business day.

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

Mailing a check or money order to Metro

Write your account number on the check or money order. Include a payment stub from your bill if you have one, or write your account number and the amount you are paying on a separate piece of paper and include it with your payment.

Mail your payment to:

Metro Payment Processing Center P.O. Box 9412 Washington, D.C. 20066-9412

Do not send payments to Metro's main office or any other address. Only the payment processing center can record your payment correctly and on time. Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed, so if you have a due date, send your payment at least two weeks in advance.

Payment important date and late fees

Metro bills include a due date, usually 30 days from the bill date. If your payment is not received by that date, Metro may charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your account type and is listed on your bill.

If you are paying by mail and your due date is approaching, online payment is safer because it posts the same day. If you must mail a payment close to the due date, consider using certified mail or a tracking service so you have proof of when it was sent, in case a dispute arises about whether it arrived on time.

What to do if your payment does not appear on your account

If you paid online and your confirmation number shows the payment was processed, but it has not appeared on your bill after one business day, contact Metro's customer service. Have your confirmation number ready.

If you mailed a payment and it has been more than 10 business days since you sent it, call or email Metro with your account number and the amount and date you mailed. Metro can search their payment records by account number. If the payment was lost in the mail, Metro may ask you to stop payment on the original check and send a new one, or they may issue you a credit once they confirm the original payment was not received.

Setting up automatic payments

Metro's website allows you to set up automatic payments from a bank account on a schedule you choose: monthly, quarterly, or another interval. To set this up, log into your account, find the automatic payment or recurring payment section, and enter your bank account information and the amount you want to pay each period.

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date, but you remain responsible for making sure the amount is correct each month. Review your bill when it arrives to confirm the automatic payment covers what you owe. You can pause or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Metro bill by phone?

Metro does not currently accept bill payments by phone. You must pay online through their website or by mailing a check or money order to their payment processing center. If you need help paying online, Metro's customer service can walk you through the steps.

What if I pay online but use the wrong account number?

Contact Metro's customer service with your confirmation number and the correct account number. They can usually redirect the payment to the right account if you reach out within a few days. If the payment goes to the wrong account and is not corrected, you may need to request a refund and pay again.

Do I have to pay the full bill amount, or can I make a partial payment?

Metro accepts partial payments both online and by mail. Enter or write the amount you want to pay, and the remaining balance will carry forward to your next bill. Late fees explore only to the unpaid balance if it is not paid by the due date.

Is there a fee for paying online with a credit card?

Metro charges a processing fee for credit and debit card payments, but the exact amount varies. The fee appears on the payment screen before you confirm, so you know the total cost before you submit. Bank account transfers have no fee.

How long does it take to receive a refund if I overpaid?

If you overpaid your bill, Metro will issue a refund or credit the amount to your next bill. Contact customer service to request a refund instead of a credit. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your bank account or on your card, depending on your financial institution.