Metro says it will auction or donate most items left on its trains and buses rather than try to track down the owners.

Starting March 1, Metro will only work to find owners of lost wallets and electronics like phones, tablets, and laptops. All other items lost in the system will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned, Metro says.

In putting this cost-cutting policy in place, amid tight budget times, Metro aims to “prioritize its core mission: providing safe and reliable transportation for the region.”

So don’t lose your keys on Metrorail or forget your bike on the front of a Metrobus.

Any item reported lost between now and the end of February will be handled using the current process and held for 30 days. Lost items may be reported online or by phone at 202-962-1195.

The transit agency suspended in-person pickup for lost items during the pandemic but will allow people to get items in person starting March 1 at the lost and found, 6500 Belcrest Rd. in Hyattsville, Maryland. Customers may still opt to have their item returned via mail if they cover the cost of mailing.

The change in lost and found procedures is one of several cost-saving actions Metro is taking to meet its budget, including limiting the use of contractors, deferring some capital program expenses and not filling open jobs.

In 2016, WJLA reported that nearly 1,500 missing items roll into the lost and found every week. More than 3,000 cell phones arrive each month, the report said.

Only about 35-40% of items get back to their owners.