Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 26, 2003

Metrorail’s new extended weekend hours begin Sunday, June 29

Metrorail opens at 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from the end of the Rail Lines and closes at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights starting July 4th

Metrorail customers will soon be able to take advantage of additional hours on the weekends. Effective Sunday, June 29, the Metrorail system will open at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings from the end of the rail lines, and effective Friday, July 4, Metrorail will close at 3 a.m., every Friday and Saturday night.

Metro estimates 10,000 daily riders will utilize Metrorail between 7 and 8 a.m. on the weekends, and an additional 3,000 riders will utilize Metrorail between 2 and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, Metrorail trains will depart from the end of each rail line starting at 7 a.m. Customers waiting for trains in the downtown area will see the first train service about 20 minutes later, and all Metrorail stations will open approximately10 minutes before a scheduled train’s first arrival.

Metrorail’s late-night 3 a.m. weekend service will begin on Friday, July 4th. The 3 a.m. late night service is an 18-month demonstration program that will be funded by the District of Columbia for $1.6 million.

Although the Metrorail system will close at 3 a.m., on Friday and Saturday nights, it is important for patrons to check the "last train" schedules posted at each rail station AND the revised bus departure times at bus stops and in new bus service brochures to make sure they understand the new schedule. In some instances, the last train could leave a rail station as early as 2:30 a.m., or as late as 3:38 a.m., depending on how close the station is to the end of the line. Customers are encouraged to visit Metro’s Web site, www.metroopensdoors.com and click on the Ride Guide, or to visit www.wmata.com/metrorail/weekend_1st_train.pdf to locate the specific time their train station will open, and at what time the first train will arrive at their station. For additional information, customers may call (202) 637-7000, or TTY (202) 638-3780.