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Metro has begun rolling out contactless payments at its parking facilities, starting with Addison Road station.
The Tap. Ride. Go. system lets customers pay when leaving participating parking facilities by tapping a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device or SmarTrip card.
Riders who use a physical or mobile SmarTrip card to enter Metrorail will continue to be automatically identified for eligible parking benefits. As the system expands, Metro will configure its equipment to distinguish between rail customers and other parking users and process the appropriate rates.
Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said extending Tap. Ride. Go. to parking is the next phase of the agency’s modernization efforts, intended to make payments faster and more flexible while creating a more seamless experience across the system.
The phased rollout includes upgrades to parking equipment, software and fare systems. Metro plans to test and refine the technology before bringing it to additional locations.
Participating stations will receive updated signs. At future locations, customers will be able to use the same contactless credit or debit card for both their train fare and parking payment while receiving the rider parking rate.
Metro serves approximately 4 million people across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Its network includes six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes and door-to-door paratransit service. The agency recorded 268.9 million trips in 2025.