Metro Board approves temporary fee waiver for extended service during special events

Customers can count on Metro to get to and from large-scale events under a policy approved by Metro’s Board of Directors today that will provide extra rail service for approved special events beyond normal operating hours and temporarily waive the fee normally charged to organizers.

The decision reinforces Metro’s support of the region’s pandemic recovery and expands a policy announced by Metro last month to “flex” rail service 30 minutes for the region’s professional sports teams if a game ends after the normal closing time.

“Metro is a part of the region’s economic recovery,” said Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “Not only for our championship teams, but also for other major events and we want folks to know that Metro will be there when they want to ride.”

The temporary fee waiver and extended rail service will be provided through December 31, 2021, when needed for the Mystics, Wizards, Nationals, Washington Football Team, Capitals, the Marine Corps Marathon and the Army Ten-Miler. Extended rail service will be provided to other special events without a fee upon request and approval by the Board of Directors.

Event organizers are normally charged $100,000 for each additional hour of service to keep all 91 stations open, run more trains, and other operational needs.

Metro adjusted rail service last year due to the pandemic and is currently operating at 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, closing at 11 p.m. seven days a week.