Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 30, 2004

Travel on Metro for July 4th Activities


Trains to Take Different Routes for Independence Day Only. Smithsonian Station Closed All Day July 4th

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is once again providing a special travel pattern for its customers going to and from Independence Day celebrations around the region and on the National Mall. For Independence Day only, trains will depart from their usual routing and travel in directions regular customers have only seen five times before - on July 4 in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Metro will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Metro expects the majority of the post-event crowds from the fireworks on the National Mall to have cleared Metrorail stations well before closing. Parking in all Metro lots will be free.

"Over the last five years, we have devised an innovative way to safely and conveniently take customers to and from Independence Day celebrations on July 4th," stated Steven Feil, Chief Operating Officer for Rail. "We use this innovative way of traveling because, as in the past five Fourths of July, it works."

Here’s what will happen on July 4th.

Special Metrorail Service:

  • The Smithsonian Station on the Blue and Orange Lines will be closed all day.

Suggested alternate stations nearest the National Mall and downtown events are as follows:

EnterExit
Shady Grove, Red LineFarragut North or Metro Center
Glenmont, Red LineUnion Station, Judiciary Square, or Metro Center
Vienna, Orange LineFoggy Bottom-GWU, Farragut West, or McPherson Square
Addison Road-Seat Pleasant or New Carrollton, Orange LineCapitol South, Federal Center, or L’Enfant Plaza
Fort Totten or Greenbelt, Green LineGallery Place-Chinatown
Branch Avenue, Green LineL’Enfant Plaza
Franconia-Springfield, Blue LineL’Enfant Plaza

  • The Blue Line will operate between Huntington and Rosslyn (upper platform) stations.

  • The Yellow Line will run between Franconia-Springfield and Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street-Convention Center stations.

  • Starting at 2 p.m., Red Line trains will alternate final destination stations between Silver Spring and Glenmont.

  • Starting at 6 p.m., Green Line trains will alternate final destination stations between Fort Totten and Greenbelt.

  • Twice as many Orange Line trains will run between Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and Stadium-Armory. Orange Line trains will alternate between New Carrollton and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant final destination stations.

  • All trains on all rail lines will operate with six cars. Additional trains will be available to be placed into service if crowded conditions exist at key downtown stations.

  • For one day only, special Metrorail July 4th maps will be on display in rail cars and in rail stations.

Special Metrobus Service:

  • From 6 p.m. until closing, free shuttle buses will operate every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield station and Springfield Mall at Macy’s.

  • After the fireworks, free Metrobus shuttle service will operate between the L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail station and the Pentagon Transit Center.

To help ensure that riders board the correct train, Metro will make frequent station announcements throughout the Metrorail system, and Metro Information Persons will be positioned throughout the rail system to assist customers. In addition, brochures, titled Metro Guide to the 4th of July, will be available to customers at Take One racks near station managers’ kiosks or booths at rail stations and on Metrobuses, as long as supplies last.

Customer Tips/Reminders: · Customers are strongly encouraged to purchase round trip farecards when they first enter the Metrorail system. In designated stations, Metro personnel will hand sell farecards to decrease the length of lines at farecard vending machines when customers return to stations to go home.

  • Customers are reminded to listen to station and train announcements, and watch for updates on the electronic message boards in stations. Metro employees - station managers and Metro Information Persons will be on hand to direct customers in an effort to help them board correct trains.

  • Oversized coolers will not be permitted on the Mall.

  • Due to the expected large crowds on July 4th, bicycles are not permitted on Metrorail trains.

In addition, adults should talk with their children about what to do if they become separated. It is strongly advised that adults look for their children, directing them to remain where they are until found or to exit the train at the very next station, if they are riding the train when separated from adults. In addition, parents and other adults should seek the assistance of Metro Transit Police, station managers, Metro Information Persons, or others who will be in uniform that day.

Metro Information Persons will be wearing red T-shirts that say "Ask Me" with matching red caps which say "Metro." Metro Transit Police and Operations employees will be wearing their high-visibility vests. For more information on traveling by Metrorail or Metrobus on July 4th, check out the Metro Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com, or call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

News release issued on June 30, 2004.