WMATA

Per WMATA: As Metro prepares to introduce its Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget this week, Metro today released an update for customers and stakeholders on the development of a new strategic plan, #YourMetro, The Way Forward. The plan will provide a long-term strategy and direct Metro’s day-to-day decision making over the next five plus years.

Metro has been gathering information and feedback from customers on rail, bus, and paratransit, local elected officials, employees, stakeholders, and Board Members to understand the region’s priorities for the future of Metro.  The update released today outlines draft goals focused on service excellence, regional opportunity and partnership, sustainability, and talented teams.

Per WMATA: Metro’s Red Line customers will see more frequent service beginning Monday, December 5, as the transit agency continues to bring more 7000-series trains into service.

Red Line trains will operate every eight minutes during the peak periods of 6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 7 p.m. to alleviate crowding during the busiest weekday hours. Red Line trains will operate every 10 minutes at all other times, except during scheduled trackwork.

Metro welcomes customers and visitors to the region to take Metro wherever your travels take you during the Thanksgiving holiday. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, Metrorail and Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule, with trains operating from 7 a.m. until midnight. MetroAccess customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however subscription trips will be canceled.

The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25, Metrorail will open at 5 a.m., closing at 1 a.m., and Metrobus and MetroAccess will operate normal weekday service.

Per WMATA: Metro celebrated the opening of the Silver Line Extension on Tuesday, connecting customers to six new stations, adding 11.4 miles of track to the Metrorail system, and beginning operations at a modern rail maintenance facility. The Silver Line Extension gives customers a new connection to Washington Dulles International Airport and new service between Reston, Va., and eastern Loudoun County. Today’s grand opening also marks the completion of the Silver Line project, a generational infrastructure investment in Northern Virginia. 

Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke was joined by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other federal, state, and local officials for the grand opening ceremony at Washington Dulles International Airport Station. The event was followed by an inaugural train ride with nearly 100 customers who shared their happiest Metro memories to receive a “Silver Ticket” for the special preview train ride. 

Per WMATA: In observance of Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, Metro will operate normal weekday service with scheduled track work and maintenance on the Red and Green lines. Metrobus will operate on a Saturday Supplemental schedule and MetroAccess customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however, subscription trips will be canceled.

Metrorail

Metrorail customers will be back on track south of Reagan National Airport with full service resuming to six closed stations on Sunday, Nov. 6. Blue Line trains will serve all six stations – Braddock Rd, King St-Old Town, Eisenhower Ave, Huntington, Van Dorn St, and Franconia-Springfield – while long-term work continues to rehabilitate the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge.

Per WMATA: Metro is also making progress on the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehabilitation Project which began during the closure. The Yellow Line will remain suspended through May 2023, while these critical tunnel and bridge repairs continue. Instead, the reopened stations will be served by additional Blue Line service. Trains will run every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo on the Blue Line, with Blue Plus service operating every 15 minutes between Huntington and New Carrollton.

Service to Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County

Per WMATA: Opening day is set for the Silver Line Extension – Tuesday, November 15 – connecting Metrorail customers to Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County for the first time. The announcement came from Metro Board Members and employees in a video touting “We’re Ready,” marking the opening for customers and culmination of the largest expansion of Metrorail since the system’s inception.

Per WMATA: Metro Transit Police officers will begin issuing fare evasion citations on Tuesday, November 1, following a monthlong awareness and warning campaign. Citations with associated fines may be issued to anyone jumping fare gates, improperly using emergency gates, or not tapping fare boxes on Metrobuses.

Fare recovery is a major issue and has been mentioned as one of the top concerns of customers when talking with Metro staff and Metro Board Members. Revenue from fares allows Metro to keep buses, trains, and MetroAccess serving our community.

Statements from Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg and Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke