Yes, you can pay Metro using your checking account
Most Metro transit systems let you pay your bill straight from a checking account through their website or by phone. The payment goes directly from your bank to Metro, and the money leaves your account within one to three business days. You will need your account number, routing number, and the amount you want to pay.
Metro systems vary by city — Los Angeles Metro, Washington DC Metro, and others each run their own payment systems. Before you pay, check your local Metro's official website to see which payment methods they accept and whether there are any fees for paying by checking account.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay most Metro bills using your checking account number and routing number through the transit system's official website or phone line.
- Money typically leaves your checking account within one to three business days after you authorize the payment.
- Some Metro systems charge a small fee for paying by checking account, while others do not — check your local system's website first.
- Paying by checking account is safer than giving your debit card number because the merchant only receives your bank routing and account numbers, not your card details.
- If you set up automatic payments, your Metro bill can be paid on the same date each month without you having to remember.
How to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of your checks. The routing number is the first nine digits, and your account number follows it. If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your online banking, calling your bank's customer service line, or visiting your bank in person.
Write these numbers down before you start the payment process so you have them ready. Do not share them with anyone except the official Metro payment system — legitimate companies will never ask for them by email or text.
Paying through Metro's website versus by phone
Most Metro systems offer both options. Paying online through their official website is usually faster — you enter your information, review the amount, and confirm the payment in a few minutes. Paying by phone means calling Metro's customer service number, giving your account details to a representative, and waiting while they process it.
Online payment leaves a record you can see when ready in your account history. Phone payment may take longer to show up in your records, but some people prefer it because they can ask questions while the payment is being made. Either way, keep your confirmation number or receipt for your records.
When the money actually leaves your account
After you authorize a payment, it does not leave your checking account right away. Most banks process these payments within one to three business days. This means if you pay on a Friday, the money might not leave until Monday or Tuesday. Plan ahead so you do not accidentally overdraw your account before the payment clears.
If you are running low on funds, check your available balance (the amount you can spend right now) rather than your account balance (which includes pending transactions). Your available balance accounts for payments you have authorized but that have not yet cleared.
Fees and whether they explore to you
Some Metro systems charge a small fee — usually between one and three dollars — when you pay by checking account. Others do not charge any fee at all. The fee, if there is one, will be shown to you before you confirm the payment, so you can see the total amount that will be taken from your account.
If the fee seems high, check whether your Metro system offers other free payment methods, such as paying in person at a customer service office or by mail. Sometimes the fee is worth it for the convenience of paying when ready from home, and sometimes it is not — that depends on your situation.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a bill
Many Metro systems let you set up automatic payments, where the same amount is taken from your checking account on the same date each month. This works well if your Metro bill is always the same amount. You authorize it once, and then it happens automatically until you cancel it.
Before you set up automatic payments, make sure you understand when the payment will be taken each month and that you will have enough money in your account on that date. If your bill amount changes month to month, you may need to update the automatic payment amount or pay manually instead.
What to do if the payment does not go through
If your payment is rejected, the most common reason is insufficient funds — your account did not have enough money when the payment tried to clear. The second most common reason is a typo in your account or routing number. Check both before you try again.
If you entered the information correctly and have enough money, contact your bank to ask whether they blocked the payment for fraud protection. Some banks flag unusual transactions and stop them automatically. Once you confirm it was you, your bank can let it through or you can try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to give my checking account number to Metro?
Yes, when you pay through Metro's official website or phone line. Your routing and account numbers are designed to be shared for payments — they do not give someone access to withdraw money without your permission. Only use the official Metro payment system, not a link from an email or text that claims to be from Metro.
Can I pay someone else's Metro bill with my checking account?
Most Metro systems require you to pay the account holder's bill directly. If you want to pay for someone else, contact Metro customer service to ask whether you can authorize a payment on their account or whether they need to set you up as an authorized payer first.
What if I do not have a checking account?
You can usually pay Metro by debit card, credit card, or in person at a customer service office. Some Metro systems also accept prepaid cards. Check your local Metro's website to see all the payment methods they accept.
Can I cancel a payment after I have authorized it?
If the payment has not cleared yet, contact your bank when ready and ask them to stop the payment. Once the money has left your account, you will need to contact Metro to ask for a refund. The sooner you contact them, the better your chances of getting the money back quickly.
Do I need to keep my confirmation number?
Yes. Keep the confirmation number or receipt for at least one billing cycle so you can prove you paid if there is ever a dispute. You can usually find past payments in your online banking history as well.