Mass Transportation Benefit Program (MTBP)

Important Information

DISA Civilians: WHS does not administer DISA civilian MTBP benefits. For enrollment guidance, please email the DISA travel office.

DoW Outside the National Capital Region (ONCR) should visit the DOT TRANServe site.

Navy employees (including Marine Corps personnel) stationed ONCR apply via the Navy Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) .

Apply for MTBP Benefits

Before you begin your Enrollment, Change, or Re-certification application, you must have a registered SmarTrip® card in your possession.

  • Mobile Wallet Warning: If you transfer your physical card to a digital mobile wallet, the physical card is permanently disabled. You must register the new digital card number (not the disabled physical card) with the MTBP office.
  • Link a New Card: Use the quick link on the portal home screen to update your SmarTrip® card serial number if your card is lost, replaced, or moved to a digital wallet. (Do not submit a full Change application for a card replacement).
  • No Retroactive Benefits: Subsidy payments cannot be issued retroactively. Annual recertification is required for all active participants.
  • Non-Rollover Benefit: Unused monthly benefits expire at the end of the month.

How to Register Your SmarTrip® Card

Before applying for enrollment or updating your card serial number, your SmarTrip® card must be registered with WMATA.

The registration must exactly match your digital Common Access Card (CAC) name, including all spacing and punctuation, and a name change will require editing to your registration.

You can verify your exact digital CAC name on your MTBP Participant Status  profile under “Enrollment Status.”

Steps to Register & Verify Your Card:

  1. Create/Log In: If you do not have an online account, create one at SmarTrip Account Creation. If you already have an account, log in at SmarTrip Account Login.
    • Note: The MTBP Office cannot access your WMATA credentials. If you are locked out, call WMATA at (888) 762-7874 for assistance.
  2. Add Your Card: Select your card from the “Associated Cards” list under “Your Account.” If your card is not listed, click “Add SmarTrip® Card” on the right-hand side of the page and enter your serial number.
  3. Update Registration Name: Click the “Update Card Registration” link on the right-hand side of the page under “Card Management.”
  4. Edit Name Fields: Edit the “First Name” and “Last Name” fields to match your digital CAC name exactly. Each field accepts up to 20 characters.
    • Note: If your CAC name exceeds 20 characters, enter the first 20 characters exactly as they appear on your CAC.
    • WARNING: The “Nickname” field is for your personal use only. Naming a card “Work Commute” does NOT register the card in your name and will result in an application rejection.
  5. Submit: Scroll to the bottom and click “SUBMIT” to finalize the registration.

Why Registration is Critical for Your Benefits

Operational Benefit Why It Matters to You
Direct Commuting Your SmarTrip® card cannot receive automated monthly SmartBenefits® unless the registered name matches your DoW employment record.
Allocation Routing Registration is required to transfer (allocate) your benefits to MARC, VRE, MTA Commuter Bus, MetroAccess, and registered vanpools.
Mobile App Linking To purchase passes using your transit benefits via mobile apps (e.g., VRE Mobile or MTA Mobile), your registered SmarTrip® card must be linked to the app for the monthly allocation period.

Web-Based Application

All applicants with a Common Access Card (CAC) and network access must use the secure web-based application. Processing time is approximately 30 days. You and your supervisor must have a valid .mil, .gov, .org, or .edu email address on file (Exception: AAFES and Stars & Stripes may use their organizational issued email addresses).

Launch the Secure MTBP Web Application  (CAC Required)

Use this portal to complete the following actions:

  • Enrollment: Apply for MTBP for the first time or re-enroll after being withdrawn.
  • Change in Commute: Update your profile if you change organizations, change the number of days you commute, change duty station, move to a new residence, request fare changes, or change transit providers. (Note:Supervisor changes alone do NOT require a new application; update your supervisor as part of your annual recertificationor in a change application when substantive changes to commute, address or organization pertain.
  • Annual Recertification: Submit your recertification application annually to verify your eligibility for the program and your current commute. Failure to recertify by your deadline will result in an automatic withdrawal.
  • Withdrawal: Stop your benefits due to separation or PCS out of the NCR.

Paper Application

The paper application (DD Form 2845) is strictly reserved for employees who will never be issued a CAC or who work in a facility with zero access to a CAC-enabled network.

  • New Hires: If you are a new hire waiting to be issued a CAC, you cannot use the paper application. You must wait until you receive your CAC to apply via the web portal.
  • How to Submit: Download the DD Form 2845 Paper Application . Fill out the form completely and fax it to (703) 697-2144 or (703) 614-4211.

Paper Application Mandatory Checklist:

To prevent your paper application from being rejected, you must manually annotate the following on your form:

  • All Paper Applicants: Notate your exact reporting time to work and your time leaving from work on the form.
  • No CAC to be Issued (e.g., NAF): Notate “NO CAC ACCESS” at the top of the first page.
  • Temporary Hires & Interns: Notate your exact start and end dates of employment on the form.
  • Summer Hires: You must notate “Summer Hire” at the top of the first page.
  • Paper Withdrawal Requests: You must notate your exact last day of commuting using program funds on the form.

SmarTrip® Replacement Guidance

Did you lose or damage your SmarTrip® card? Did you transfer your physical card to a digital mobile wallet?

Warning: If you transfer your physical card to a digital card, you will be issued a new card number, and the physical card will no longer work.

To ensure your transit benefits are not interrupted, you must complete the following four steps immediately:

Step 1: Acquire a New Card

Obtain a new card. SmarTrip® cards can be purchased at Metro stations with parking facilities, Commuter Stores, CVS stores, or online. Please visit WMATA Sales Locations for a full directory.

Step 2: Register the Card with WMATA

Log in to your WMATA SmarTrip® Account to register your new card.

  • Critical: You must verify that the name attached to the new card exactly matches the CAC name listed on your Participant Status  profile.
  • Note: The MTBP Office does not have access to your WMATA login credentials. If you are locked out of your WMATA account, you must call WMATA Customer Service at 888-762-7874.

Step 3: Link the Card to your DoD MTBP Profile

Log in to your MTBP Participant Status  portal and click the “Link SmarTrip® Card” button.

  • Do not submit a full “Change Application” for a card replacement.
  • You will receive an email confirmation from the MTBP office when your benefits have been successfully reassigned to your new card. Please be advised that it can take 3 to 5 calendar days for transferred benefits to appear on the new card after the reassignment has been initiated.

Step 4: Update Your Allocations (If Applicable)

If you ride a transit system that requires allocations (e.g., VRE, MARC, MTA commuter buses, or vanpools), your old card number is tied to your 3rd-party vendor. You must log into your transit provider account and update them with your new SmarTrip® card number so your funds continue to route correctly.

MTBP System User Guides

For step-by-step technical assistance navigating the Applicant, Supervisor, and AMTBRO (Reviewing Official) portals, please review the appropriate user guides below:

If you have any additional questions, please email the Program Office or call the MTPB office at (571) 256-0962.