Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To help you get acquainted with the use and functions of your new MTA CharmCard™, please read the FAQs below. You’ll soon find that using the MTA CharmCard™ is fast and easy.

What do I have to do to start using my CharmCard™?
To get started, you must first add cash value or a pass product  to your CharmCard™. On a MTA Local Bus farebox, you may add up to four bills or $20 stored value. Or you may purchase a 1-Day Pass.

At a ticket vending machine you have different options. You may add up to $200 of cash value to your card and you may add a 1-Day, 7-Day or 30-Day pass product to your card. The pass validity does not begin until you first use it and will continue for the specified number of days on your pass.

What kinds of fares can I buy?
You can load cash value maxium of $200 to your card or you can load a 1-Day, 7-Day or 30-Day Pass at Metro and Light Rail ticket vending machine (TVM). You may load up to $20 cash (remember four bills only) or purchase a 1-Day pass at the Bus farebox.

What does Cash Value mean?
Cash Value is the amount of cash you have loaded on your card. You may use cash value to purchase pass products or have each ride deducted from cash value each time you tap the farebox or faregate target.

What is a 1-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass and a 30-Day Pass?
These pass products provide unlimited use of Local Bus, and Metro Subway for the duration of the designated pass period – 1 day, 7 days or 30 days. The pass validity begins the day you first use it, and continues for the specified number of days on your pass. Please note that the time of day of your first use is not applied to the pass validity period: for example, if you begin using a 7-Day Pass on Monday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:30 p.m., the pass is only valid until the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m. REMINDER: TVM allows purchase of 1-Day, 7-Day and 30-Day pass. Bus farebox allows 1-Day pass purchase. Passes are not accepted in the Washington DC region, stored value must be used.

What if my CharmCard™ has both Stored Value and a Pass Product?
This combination is OK.The farebox and faregate are programmed to read pass products, (1-Day, 7-Day and 30-Day pass) first and then stored value to deduct a ride. If there are no pass products on the card, the proper fare from stored value will be deducted. If there is a combination of pass product and stored value, the farebox/faregate will read the pass first and not deduct from stored value.

How do I pay my single trip fare?
Local Bus: Tap your card to the target panel on the top of the farebox. If you have a cash balance on your card, the MTA fare collection system will deduct the cost of the single trip fare from your card. If you have a 1-Day, 7-Day, or 30-Day pass product on your card the fare collection system will automatically verify your transaction.

Metro Subway: Tap the target at the faregate as you enter the system, take your ride and tap again as you exit the system.  If you have a cash balance on your card, the MTA fare collection system will deduct the cost of the single trip fare from your card. If you have a 1-Day, 7-Day, or 30-Day pass product on your card the fare collection system will automatically verify your transaction. If you encounter a faregate with the barrier already open prior to touching your CharmCard™, DO NOT pass through the open faregate. This will make your card “out of sync” and you will have to see the station manager before using your card again.

How do I Check Value on my card?
Ticket Vending Machine: If the screen directions are not fully visible, press any TVM button to begin. The TVM is designed for most CharmCard™ transactions to occur on the right side of the screen. Press the “Check Balance” button. Touch your card to the target. The value will be displayed on the screen.

Bus Farebox: Press “Check Value” button on the right side of the farebox. Tap your CharmCard to the target, the value will be displayed on the screen.

How do I Add Value on my card?
Ticket Vending Machine: If the screen directions are not fully visible, press any TVM button to begin. Press the “Add Value” button. Touch your card to the target. On the "Select Add Value Amount” screen, select the amount you wish to add. Press to pay with cash or credit. Follow screen prompts. Touch your card to the target again to load value.

Bus Farebox: Press the “Add Value” button on the left side of the farebox. Insert cash (four bills only up to $20) into the farebox. Tap your card to the target and the cash value will be loaded to your card.

How do I add a 1-Day, 7-Day or 30-Day pass at a TVM?

How do I add a 1-Day pass to CharmCard™ at Farebox?

Can someone else use my card?
No. Do not lend or pass your card to anyone. The CharmCard™ is non-transferrable. To reduce the likelihood of multiple fares paid with the same card a ‘passback’ feature is set for 10 minutes. Another fare may not be deducted from your card for a period of 10 minutes. Although you may check balance during this time.

Where can I use my card?
On MTA Metro Subway and Local Bus. We encourage you to use your CharmCard™ on any of the regional service in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and anywhere you see the CharmCard™ and SmarTrip® names displayed. Remember, only stored value is accepted outside the Baltimore region.

What if I have trouble using my card or lose it?
Pay for your trip with cash. Call the Regional Customer Service Center at 1-888-SmarTrip  immediately.

How long may I use my card?
For as long as you like. The card is for you to keep as it will not expire. Visit this web site for updates and announcement of the CharmCard public launch in the Fall of 2010.