Thread by @MetroReasons

Huh, it's finally here. You can now use Apple Pay for your bus/rail fare.

Android (hopefully?) coming, but no mention of it here. #wmata

https://twitter.com/wmata/status/1300739764195295232

A big warning to those that still like to use cards, not their phone to pay:

"Once you transfer your physical card to Apple Wallet, the physical card will be disabled and will no longer work."

wmata.com/fares/MobilePa…

#wmata

"Remember, a card is not shared between devices. If you wish to have a card on your phone and watch, you must purchase two cards."

#wmata

The iPhone SmarTrip app may be useful to those using Apple Pay as well as those that don't. The app can let you manage funds on your existing plastic card if you don't want to use the #wmata website (but it may still take time before $ appears on the card)

"Nearly all Metro riders have a smartphone, according to Wiedefeld."

How true is this of Metrobus riders though, not Metrorail? #wmata

https://twitter.com/DCist/status/1300756372158656512

Here's the link to the SmarTrip app in the Apple app store: apps.apple.com/us/app/id15165… #wmata

#hottake: mobile payments are great for visitors and infrequent #wmata riders, but the plastic SmarTrip card will continue to reign, not just because it'll never run out of battery.

counterpoint

https://twitter.com/DMVClassical/status/1300775399006392323

#wmata

Things That Happen When You Attempt To Preserve Backwards Compatibility

https://twitter.com/AirlineFlyer/status/1300778635884986368

#wmata

Only SmarTrip cards that begin with the numbers 0167 ("Card Type #4") - which should be all cards bought from #wmata within the last few years (since about ~2013) - can be added to Apple Wallet. Older cards will not work.

wmata.com/fares/MobilePa…

The *vast* majority of SmarTrip cards will work with Apple Wallet and have IDs beginning with 0167. However, there are still some older cards in use that won't.

https://twitter.com/MetroReasons/status/1301209119018422277

#wmata

2012-2013: #wmata switches to MIFARE cards from the GO Card. This required upgrades to all the readers on all SmarTrip gates at rail stations and all buses, for compatibility (two different standards). Only MIFARE (for WMATA) works in Apple Wallet

https://twitter.com/HeadwaysMatter/status/1301209301927763969