“Metro will add more buses, more trains, and more hours of service beginning on Sunday, August 16”

Photo by Ted Eytan

From WMATA:

“Metro will add more buses, more trains, and more hours of service beginning on Sunday, August 16, 2020, restoring most service to pre-Covid levels while maintaining a strong response posture to Covid-19. Metrorail will add 15 hours more service per week, with opening times returning to normal and the system closing two hours later each night in anticipation of potential increases in ridership after Labor Day.

Metro today also announced a significant investment to support the region’s overnight workers by doubling the discount customers receive when using Lyft during times Metro is not available.

Metrobus will offer more buses, running more frequent service beginning Sunday, August 23 restoring approximately 75 percent of pre-pandemic service. Weekday service will improve on 174 routes with most routes operating close to normal. Buses will operate until midnight, an additional hour.

In an effort to provide additional transportation options for late-night workers, Metro is increasing the subsidy from $3 to $6 for on-demand transportation service after hours. The program, known as the After-Hours Commuter Service, gives qualified workers a subsidy toward a shared ride on Lyft for trips between their home and workplace between midnight and 4 a.m. Eligible workers may apply online at wmata.com/afterhours.

Metro remains on track to re-open six Fairfax County stations on the Orange and Silver lines announced last month. The stations west of Ballston – McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, and Wiehle-Reston East on the Silver Line plus West Falls Church on the Orange Line – had been closed since late May to complete work for Silver Line Phase 2 and platform reconstruction.

The remaining Orange Line stations, Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church are on target for completion around Labor Day, September 7.

Customer Information:

Current Service

Metrorail:

• Service operates from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. on weekends.
• Trains operate every 15 minutes on the Red Line on weekdays, and every 20 minutes on all lines except Silver which will return on August 16.
• 81 of 91 stations are open. The closed stations are Arlington Cemetery and the 9 stations west of Ballston due to ongoing platform reconstruction work.
• Customers should be aware of additional weekly station closures due to track work through August 14.

Metrobus:

• Service operates from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. on weekends
• Weekdays buses are operating on a modified Sunday schedule
• Weekends bus routes are operating lifeline service

More buses and more frequent service are now operating on the A12 and T18 routes serving Prince George’s County. The routes, which had been operating weekdays only, resumed limited weekend service to accommodate additional service needs.

Effective Monday, August 16

Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. on Sundays and close daily at 11 p.m.

• Weekdays Red Line trains will operate every 5 minutes during peak periods and 12 minutes off-peak; all others lines every 8 minutes during peak periods and 15 minutes off-peak.
• On weekends Red Line trains will operate every 12 minutes; all other lines every 15 minutes.
• Six stations west of Ballston re-open – McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, Wiehle-Reston East and West Falls Church.
• Arlington Cemetery Station remains closed as Arlington National Cemetery is currently closed to the general public.

Effective Sunday, August 23

Metrobus service will operate beginning at 5 a.m. on weekdays; 7 a.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. on Sundays and end at midnight daily.

• Weekday bus service will be available on 174 routes with most operating close to normal.
• Weekend bus service will be available on 109 routes on Saturday and 99 routes on Sunday.
• Rear-door boarding remains in effect and fares temporarily waived.

The increased service will allow Metro to provide greater transit options for the region, while still maintaining stepped up Covid-19 cleaning protocols. Trains, buses and stations are cleaned daily, high-touch surfaces wiped down and disinfected, and routine deep-cleaning at stations.

Customers are reminded that masks or face coverings are required when traveling on Metro per guidance from the CDC to protect the health and safety of others. This includes stations, trains, buses and MetroAccess vehicles.

As ridership increases, social distancing may not be possible on trains and buses. Customers may wish to consider traveling during off-peak hours and other travel alternatives such as walking, biking, or scooters if possible.”