Metro is preparing for one of the busiest travel days of the year as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to head to Washington, D.C., for Fourth of July festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. To help move crowds, Metro will offer free rides systemwide from 5pm until 2am while increasing Metrorail service throughout the evening.
Rail service will operate on a normal Saturday schedule until 5pm before additional trains are added. Beginning at 5pm, Red Line trains will arrive every five minutes, Orange, Blue and Silver Line trains every 10 minutes, and Green and Yellow Line trains every six minutes. In the downtown core, where multiple rail lines share tracks, trains are expected to arrive every three to four minutes.
Metro Bus will operate on a Sunday schedule, though riders should expect detours, delays and route changes around the National Mall due to road closures and holiday events. Metro Access will continue operating by reservation, with trips after 5pm also being fare-free.
Metro officials are encouraging customers to plan ahead as enhanced security measures, including fencing around much of the National Mall, airport-style security checkpoints and numerous street closures, are expected to make the area more restricted than usual. Metro Transit Police and event staff will direct riders to specific stations following the fireworks to help manage crowds, and station entrances may be temporarily restricted if platforms become overcrowded.
Officials recommend using Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations for the Salute to America event near 14th Street, while those attending the Great American State Fair are encouraged to use L’Enfant Plaza or Archives stations. Riders may also consider using less crowded stations such as Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Foggy Bottom, Capitol South and Federal Center SW.
Metro noted that the Smithsonian station is traditionally the busiest station on July 4 and may temporarily become exit-only before the fireworks or be bypassed by trains if overcrowding occurs. Following the fireworks, riders using Smithsonian should expect wait times of an hour or longer and are encouraged to delay travel or walk to another nearby station if possible.
Parking at all Metro facilities will be free on July 4. Before 5pm, customers can pay fares by tapping a physical or mobile credit or debit card at faregates and bus fareboxes. After 5pm, no fare payment or tap will be required.
Metro is also encouraging riders to download the Metro Pulse app for trip planning, real-time service updates and customer support, and to keep an eye out for its special America 250-themed wrapped train, bus and MetroAccess vehicle operating throughout the system.
