On December 18, the approximate “last full work day” of 2025, WMATA released MetroRewind. In previous years, it was released in January, but now they are more aligned with the streaming service that pioneered this sort of thing. Note: it was updated for the entirety of 2025 in mid-January 2026.
Completing MetroRewind takes about 10 minutes after entering SmartCard number(s). The theme is retro with old cardboard farecards, Metro signage and also call-outs to area places and culture. Chuck Brown makes an appearance.
Like I said last year, it’s really great feature that other transit agencies should mimic. It connects with the public in a fun way that really celebrates the system and region. The creative agency project manager in me would love to see the project brief and learn how many hours it took.
The data
As with previous years, MetroRewind provides stats like trips taken, stations visited, miles traveled, most frequently used bus routes, “carbon capture” and percentile of Metro users. This year, there are badges as well:
- top percenter
- bus mvp
- rail mvp
- route runner
- bus stan
- first to ride
- birthday rider
- club 98
- station star
- rail rider
- longest streak
- most miles
- eco icon
This year it’s also possible to enter multiple SmarTrip card values, which I did because I forgot my normal card on occasion.
My report
My numbers are down compared to 2024. Since there is still time in 2025 for travel, not everything is captured though. Additionally, it appears the data was only pulled once so trips I have taken since the 18th have not been counted. Maybe they get lumped in with 2026.
In my annual manual tally, I tracked 36 stations because I count transfers as well. I also checked off a couple more doing some Christmas shopping.
In 2024, I was a top 0.12% customer overall with top 0.26% for rail and 1% for bus, respectively. I don’t think my patterns changed dramatically, but more people are using Metro more often so I’m “only” 0.5%. That’s collective good news.
It’s interesting to note that my most used bus is one that is no longer in service – the 8W. I miss it! It was at the top of my street, instead of the other side of a park. That’s the “better bus” initiative at play and I can’t say my skepticism of it for Alexandria’s West End was unwarranted. The A25, which I only rode a handful of times, serves Arlington better than Alexandria.
I am pleased that WMATA increased A28 service recently, though to little fanfare. Maybe spread the word that the bus is coming more often and won’t be standing room only.
Final totals from mid-January release
In mid-January 2026, WMATA announced the total 2025 data was available – I guess they did another sync.
Since the original pull, I added 43 more trips and 3 more stations (stations that I transferred at where not included). The A28 route, which started in late June, pulled ahead of the dearly departed 8W bus line.
I never actually rode the A90, but on occasion, the bus displayed that instead of A28.
Small batch artisanal data in January
I’ll be included my annual manual tally the first week of the new year, as usual. That includes every station I entered, exited or transferred at in 2025.
Updated January 4, 2026: 2025 Metro station tally