WMATA

Metro is inviting fans from around the world to ride Metro to see the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. To commemorate the occasion, Metro is releasing a limited-edition MLS All-Star SmarTrip® card, ahead of the big game.

Per Metro: “We’re really excited to welcome MLS Soccer, its players, and fans for the All-Star Game,” said Clarke. “Come on out to root for the All-Star festivities and cheer on the best of MLS against as they take on the Premier League’s Arsenal FC and take in the All-Star festivities. It’s a quick and easy ride away on Metro without all the hassle of traffic and parking.”

No more searching for spare change to pay at Metro parking meters. New centralized pay stations and ParkMobile are now available at all of Metro’s 63 Kiss & Ride and hourly lots and on-street parking spaces, expanding the ways customers can pay.

Per WMATA: Metro’s Park & Ride facilities make it easy for customers to travel to work, school, or other activities. You can park your car and ride without the hefty parking fees. On weekends, all Metro owned parking facilities are free and with a $2 weekend flat fare for any one-way trip, using Metro is an even better bargain.

Metrorail celebrated the Independence Day holiday with preliminary ridership topping 410,000, a level not seen since 2015. With fare-free service after 5 p.m. and a boost in service to accommodate the influx of customers, rail ridership was up 61 percent over last year.

Per WMATA: The fireworks on the National Mall, A Capitol Fourth Concert, and other holiday festivities, along with fans attending the Nationals game helped drive ridership. “We are proud to connect the region and to have brought people together to celebrate America’s birthday. We hope many of those that experienced a safe and reliable Metro yesterday will use trains and buses for their future non-holiday travel needs,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “I want to commend our staff who gave up their holiday to provide fantastic service so our customers could celebrate July 4th stress free. I’m proud and thankful for their dedication to serving our community and country.”

Per WMATA: This July 4, let Metro get you to and from Independence Day festivities stress and fare-free. Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be fare-free on Tuesday, July 4 from 5 p.m. until the system closes, with frequent service to the National Mall and other celebrations across the region.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on July 4, Metrorail faregates will be open, and fare-free signage will be posted throughout the stations and on buses to communicate that customers do not need SmarTrip cards if using Metro after 5 p.m. “The Metro Board of Directors is proud to support our region’s Independence Day celebrations by providing fare-free service for all customers traveling after 5 p.m. on July 4,” said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “The best way to beat traffic and get to barbeques, parades, and fireworks is with Metro, America’s transit system.”