Metro Student Poster Contest

Each spring, Metro sponsors an annual student poster contest in which students from area schools are invited to create posters with a specific theme. See winning posters from past years and check this website and check with your school art teacher for news of coming Metro poster contests.

Games and tips

Play games, get tips on how to travel safely and find out fun facts about Metro.

Safety first
Fun facts about the Washington Metro Transit System
Respect the rules
Did you know…
Metro photo puzzles
"What’s wrong with this picture" game?
Make Metro your desktop
Metro memory game
Word puzzles and maze craze
Escalator safety 1,2,3's

Safety First

Kids, we want you to be safe when riding Metro. Keep these tips in mind:

Pay attention to your surroundings and watch your step.
Don’t play on escalators or elevators.
Stay close to your parents if they’re traveling with you.
If you’re lost or need help, look for a station manager or Metro employee wearing a fluorescent vest.
Stand back from the platform edge while you wait for the next train.
Don’t lean on doors, and stay away from closing doors.
Never run to catch a bus after it has left a bus stop, and don’t approach a bus that is already in motion.
Take care when using your iPod, cell phone or other electronic devices.
If you’re traveling by yourself, sit in the first car of the train near the train operator.
If you see unusual behavior or anything suspicious, don’t be afraid to tell a Metro employee or call Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.

Fun Facts about the Washington Metro Transit System

When the first phase of Metrorail opened in 1976, customers could just ride the Red Line between Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut North. Since then, Metrorail has added over 100 miles and expanded operations to a total of 86 stations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
The busiest Metrorail stations are:
1. Union Station
2. Metro Center
3. Farragut North
4. Dupont Circle
5. Farragut West
Metro Transit Police have an elite group of furry friends who help keep riders safe. The canine team patrols trains, stations and buses, and the dogs help investigate suspicious odors, packages and activity. To watch a video about Metro’s canine team, click here.
Metro trains run at an average speed of 33 miles per hour, which includes stops. The maximum speed trains can travel is 59 mph. To watch a video about what it’s like to be a Metro train operator, click here.
Metro has over 1,500 buses, which travel almost 50 million miles each year. To watch a video about what it’s like to be a Metrobus operator, click here.
Metrorail and Metrobus carry over a million people each weekday.
Metro cares about the environment. Our eco-friendly buses run on special fuels that limit air pollution, and our trains help reduce traffic congestion. Each year, Metro keeps enough cars off the road to prevent the emission of 10,000 tons of air pollutants and the burning of 75 million gallons of gasoline.

Respect the rules

It’s important to follow Metro’s laws while traveling throughout the system. Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed, as is fighting, being disruptive, carrying weapons or other dangerous articles, and destroying Metro property.

Remember, your actions make a difference. Here are a few friendly reminders:

Be courteous to fellow Metro riders.
Most people stand to the right on escalators so others can pass on the left.
Allow other customers to exit before you get on a train or bus.
Don’t eat or drink on Metro.
Don’t leave trash on trains or buses.
Talk quietly and be sure to use earphones when you listen to your portable music or game player.
If a Metro employee speaks to you, listen and follow instructions.

Did you know…

Did you know that Metro has been featured in a number of major motion pictures? See if you can spot us in the following movies:

The Invasion (2007)
Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig
Breach (2007)
Starring Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe
National Treasure (2004)
Starring Nicolas Cage
The Recruit (2003)
Starring Al Pacino and Colin Farrell

Metro photo puzzles

Put together Metro photo puzzles with this interactive game.

Choose from the following levels of difficulty:

Make Metro your desktop

Decorate your computer desktop with images from Metro's extensive photo archive. Screen savers play after a preset time of inactivity.

Choose from the following three themes:

To Use:

Click on one of the theme links.
You should be presented with the option to open or save the file. Click open and the installer will download and run.
Screen savers will be installed into the Windows default directory and made the active screen saver. You can configure screen savers by clicking the settings button on the screen saver tab.

System Requirements
-Microsoft Windows XP/2000/ME
-Apple QuickTime® 4.0+ for Windows

The 1,2,3’s of escalator safety

Hold the hand of your parent or guardian when riding an escalator.
Never sit or play on the escalator.
Check the direction of the escalator.
Look at the direction of the escalator before you take the first step. Never walk up the down or down the up escalator.
Hold the handrail.
Holding on will help you keep your balance.
Stand upright.
Don’t lean on the side of the escalator or sit on the stairs.
Stay clear of moving parts.
Keep your hands, feet and clothing clear of the side panels of the escalator. Be careful — loose shoelaces, rubber boots and baggy clothes can get caught in escalators' moving parts.
Step carefully on and off escalators.
Always pick up your feet and step carefully on or off the escalator. Don’t drag or slide your feet off the edge or at the top or bottom of escalators.
Exit promptly from the escalator.
Don’t stop, stand or play at the top or bottom of an escalator. If you stop, people behind you cannot move. This can cause a dangerous pileup.
Use the elevator.
When you carry large packages, luggage or have a child in a stroller, use the elevator. Give priority to elderly and disabled customers when using the elevator.

To watch a video about Metro’s escalators, click here.

Top of page