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Metro Lift* offers 50% off Metrobus and Metrorail trips for DC, Maryland, and Virginia customers enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Enroll for free in as little as 5 minutes!

Multi-language Flyers

What's the discount?

50% off all Metrobus and Metrorail trips. *Excludes pass products and MetroAccess.

Who qualifies?

Eligible customers must currently be enrolled in SNAP in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. For more details, read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

What you need

1. SmarTrip® card for you and each person in your SNAP household
2. Active SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
3. SNAP benefits summary (if signing up other members of your household).
4. Current government-issued photo ID card, such as a valid DC, MD, or VA driver's license or state ID; federal ID; military ID; tribal ID; permanent residency (green) card; DC One card; or U.S. passport
5. Phone number

How to Enroll

Metro offers two easy ways to enroll.

Online.

1. Complete the online enrollment form below for you and/or members of your SNAP household.
2. Upload pictures of your documents.
3. Use your SmarTrip card and go!

ENROLL NOW

In-person.

1. Gather your documents.
2. Visit our: L'Enfant Metro Transit Accessibility Center
   655 Virginia Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
   Orange Line Blue Line Silver Line Yellow Line Green Line L'Enfant Plaza
   Metrobus routes: 32, 36, 52, 74, P6
   Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
   
   

   TRiPs - Commuter Store at Silver Spring Station
   8404 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring , MD 20910
   240-773-TRiPS (8747)
   Red Line Silver Spring
   Metrobus Routes
   Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm
   Saturday and Sunday 7:00am - 4:00pm

   Commuter Store at Rosslyn
   1810 N. Moore St, Arlington, VA 22209
   703-525-1995
   Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line Rosslyn
   Metrobus Routes
   Weekdays 7:00am - 7:00pm

3. Use your SmarTrip card and go!

Need help?

• Chat: Our customer service agents are live and available Monday-Friday 7a.m.-7p.m., excluding holidays. Click here to chat.
• Phone: Call Customer Service at 888-762-7874, 7a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
• Language Assistance: Call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780) for free language assistance and translation in over 100 languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discount | Eligibility | Enrolling

Discount

How much does it cost to get the discount?
Metro Lift is free!

What discount does the Metro Lift program provide?
A 50% discount on Metrobus and Metrorail trips. Metro Lift is not accepted on MetroAccess, regional bus operators such as RideOn, TheBus, and Fairfax Connector. The discount does not apply to pass products.

When will the discount be active on my card?
For customers enrolling online, the discount is typically available on the SmarTrip cards enrolled in Metro Lift within 48 hours of submitting your enrollment form. Each enrolled SmarTrip card must be used within 30 days to activate the discount.

For customers enrolling in-person, the discount will be available immediately on every SmarTrip card enrolled in Metro Lift.

How can I tell if my Metro Lift discount is working on my card?
You will be charged half the regular fare when you board a Metrobus or exit a Metrorail station.  If you are eligible for a transfer discount, then the discount will be applied immediately unless you transfer from Metrobus-to-Metrorail.  You will receive a transfer discount credit for Metrorail-to-Metrobus transfers within two days.

Should I add a pass product to the same SmarTrip card that has my Metro Lift discount?
No, pass products will not work on the same SmarTrip card that has Metro Lift  If you want to continue to use pass products for parts of your travel, you will need to add the pass to a separate card.  If you added a pass to a card with Metro Lift, contact Customer Support at 888-SMARTRIP to move the pass to a new card.

Will the Metro Lift discount expire on my card?
Yes, one year after the date that you submitted your enrollment form. You must still receive SNAP benefits from DC, Maryland, or Virginia at the time of your renewal. You can renew your Metro Lift discount up to 30 -days  before it expires. If you opt in for text or email notifications, you will receive a reminder to renew Metro Lift.

Does Metro Lift apply to parking?
No.

Does Metro Lift apply to MetroAccess fares?
No.

Can Metro Lift be applied to my existing SmarTrip card?
Yes, you can receive Metro Lift on your existing physical or virtual card. However, the SmarTrip card cannot be part of another reduced fare program, such as the Senior SmarTrip program or Kids Ride Free.

Does Metro Lift work on virtual SmarTrip cards?
Yes, the discount can be applied to a SmarTrip card on an iPhone and Apple Watch via Apple Wallet or to a SmarTrip card on an Android using Google Wallet or Google Pay.

Eligibility

Who qualifies for Metro Lift?
Customers currently enrolled in either the DC, Maryland or Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Are there other reduced fare programs if I don't qualify?
Yes. Visit wmata.com/reducedfares to learn about all of our reduced fare programs.

How do you get SNAP benefits?
For more information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), please visit these websites depending on where you live:

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• Virginia

Are SNAP household members eligible for Metro Lift?
Yes, but they must be included on your SNAP proof of benefits and have a SmarTrip® card. The proof of benefits must either list the other household members by name or indicate your household size. Remember, Metro Lift doesn't apply to Metro's reduced fare cards, such as Senior SmarTrip and Kids Ride Free.

Are kids under 18 eligible for Metro Lift?
Yes, if the head of the household is a SNAP recipient and the kids are listed on the SNAP Benefits Summary. Remember, the Metro Lift discount cannot be applied to Metro's student program cards. In addition, two kids under the age of 5 can ride free with a paying adult.

If I am a SNAP recipient and I currently have a Senior SmarTrip or a Reduced Fare ID card, should I sign up for Metro Lift?
No, those programs also offer a 50% discount on Metrorail and Metrobus trips.

Can SmartBenefits be used to pay my fare if I'm signed up for Metro Lift?
Yes.

Can I qualify for Metro Lift using a Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) card?
No. To qualify for Metro Lift, customers must be enrolled in SNAP. P-EBT cards and benefits were provided to many households that were not enrolled in SNAP.

Enrolling

What information will be required to sign up for Metro Lift?
The following information is needed for registration:

1. A SmarTrip® card for you and each person in your SNAP household
2. Active SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued by DC, MD, or VA. If signing up other members of your household, provide a copy of your SNAP benefits summary
3. Current government-issued photo ID card, such as a valid DC, MD, or VA driver's license or state ID; federal ID; military ID; tribal ID; permanent residency (green) card; DC One card; or U.S. passport
4. Phone number

Where can I sign up for Metro Lift?
Customers who receive SNAP benefits from DC, Maryland, or Virginia can enroll in the Metro Lift program either through the online enrollment process, click here, or at an in-person enrollment center.

Do I have to make an appointment to visit an enrollment center or can I walk in?
Walk ins are welcome; no appointment is necessary.

What kinds of government ID qualify?
Valid DC, MD, or VA driver's license or state ID; federal ID; military ID; tribal ID; permanent residency (green) card; DC One card; or U.S. passport. They cannot be expired.

What can I do if I cannot upload proof of enrollment in SNAP?
Bring your required documentation to a Metro in-person enrollment center.

Can I sign up if I don't have an email address?
Yes. You will need to provide a phone number.

Who can I contact if I have issues or concerns?
Contact customer service by:

• Chat: Our customer service agents are live and available Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m., excluding holidays.
• Phone: Call Customer Service at 888-762-7874, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday - Friday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
• Language Assistance: Call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780) for free language assistance and translation in over 100 languages.

What if my SmarTrip card is lost/stolen or damaged?
Obtain a replacement card and then call Customer Service at 888-762-7874, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. , Monday - Friday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. You will need the answer the security question you provided during your SmarTrip card or Metro Lift registration.

How will Metro Lift appear in my account?
If you have registered your SmarTrip card, log in to your account, and Metro Lift will appear in the Time-Based Passes Section on the Card Summary page. On the SmarTrip Mobile App, Metro Lift will appear in the "Active" section under your card number. In Apple Wallet,  Google Wallet and Google Pay, Metro Lift will appear under the stored value balance. Once you've used your Metro Lift discount, you can tap your physical card or phone to a payment validator target on any station manager kiosk and METLIFT will display in the Passes section.