Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 13, 2009
Metro to stay open until 2 a.m., January 19 and 20
Metro to provide extended service for Inauguration activities
To accommodate crowds attending late evening events related to the upcoming Inauguration, Metro will stay open until 2 a.m., on January 19 and 20.
The rail system will open at 5 a.m. on Monday, January 19, and close at 2 a.m. on the eve of the Inauguration. The rail system will open at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20 and close at 2 a.m. the following morning on Inauguration Day.
After midnight, all Red Line trains will operate 15 minutes apart, and all Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green Line trains will operate 20 minutes apart.
“I know I speak for the entire region and millions of Inauguration visitors when I express my deep gratitude to Metro General Manager John Catoe and Metro employees for the enormous and unprecedented service demands that they have willingly accepted, without either notice or consultation. Our dependence on Metro and its excellent record make it perhaps too easy for residents, visitors and Federal employees to take Metro for granted. Pressed well-beyond expectations, Metro has shown once again that its leadership and employees simply do not let us down,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia.
Metro officials have been working to enhance the rail system’s power-related infrastructure to accommodate more eight-car trains for the Inauguration. Additional maintenance has also been taking place in the rail system as the transit agency gears up for the Inauguration. The pre-event maintenance and power/infrastructure testing is ahead of schedule, allowing for the rail system to offer extended hours on both Monday and Tuesday nights.
“Once again Metro is going above and beyond to help make this region shine. Not only is this additional Metro service important for the people of this area, but it also is another example of how we serve the nation,” said Metro Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman, who represents Arlington, VA. “This is why we are often referred to as ‘America’s Subway’ system.”
“We’re very pleased that we can extend the hours without adversely impacting the Metrorail system. This support means a lot to the District of Columbia,” said Metro Board Member Jim Graham, who represents the District of Columbia.
The Hotel Association of Washington, DC, will provide financial support for the late closing on Monday night to accommodate those attending Inaugural festivities and the workers who support the events.
Automobiles will not be permitted to enter Metro parking lots after 11 p.m. on Monday, January 19. Those who park between 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, risk being ticketed and towed. Metro’s parking lots will reopen at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20.
People can also sign up for special e-alerts, dedicated to the Inauguration, on Metro’s Web site at http://www.wmata.com/inauguration. E-alerts will be issued when Metro has news relating to service for the Inauguration, and, perhaps more importantly, when there may be service disruptions during the course of the four-day Inauguration Weekend.
News release issued at 4:44 pm, January 13, 2009.