For immediate release: June 17, 2021

Metro commemorates Juneteenth as a federal holiday

Today, President Joe Biden signed legislation, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, to make Juneteenth (June 19) an official federal holiday.

Metro’s Board of Directors is proud to commemorate Juneteenth.

We have a longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the Board is committed to identifying new ways to deepen our commitment. Through our Framework for Transit Equity, created last summer, the Board has advanced more equitable policies that support our mission, making service and fares more equitable.

"Today, on behalf of Metro’s employees and leadership team, the Board is proud to affirm that Juneteeth will be officially observed each year by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – effective immediately," said Metro Board of Directors Chair, Paul C. Smedberg.

Because Juneteenth falls on a Saturday this year, Metro will observe the federal holiday on Monday, June 21, and Metro’s rail, bus and MetroAccess services will operate on a normal weekday schedule Friday, June 18 and Monday, June 21.