Metro News Release
For immediate release: June 16, 2005
Metro Unveils Initial Plans for July 4th Service
Smithsonian Station Will Be Closed For Security PrecautionsFree Bus Service Operated For Mall Events and Nationals Game
Fourth of July festivities on the National Mall combined with a Washington Nationals day game at RFK Stadium is expected to result in large crowds in the Metro system on July 4th. Free shuttle buses will be used to help get people home after the fireworks and after the ball game.
Metrorail will be open for service at its usual time from 7 a.m. to midnight however the Smithsonian Metrorail station will be closed all day for security reasons. Special routing of trains is designed to get people to and from the National Mall and the Stadium as quickly as possible.
Highlights of the plan include:
The special July 4th service pattern will see Metro:
Operating the Yellow Line between Franconia-Springfield and Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street-Convention Center Metrorail stations throughout the day, and encouraging riders to exit at L’Enfant Plaza and Archives-Navy Memorial Metrorail stations to get to the Mall;
Providing Blue Line service between Huntington and the Rosslyn Metrorail stations;
Seeing the Orange Line serve both Largo Town Center and New Carrollton Metrorail stations; and
Providing extra Green Line service on the southern end with every other train turning back at the Fort Totten Metrorail station.
Metro will operate free shuttle bus service from the National Mall to the Pentagon parking lot following the fireworks. Buses will be located at 14th and Constitution Avenue, and near the L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail station to shuttle customers to the Pentagon parking facilities.
Because the National Park Service will fence off the Mall area and provide limited access points where security screening can take place, and because the Smithsonian Metrorail station is inside the secured area, Metro’s required to close the Smithsonian station all day.
On the afternoon of July 4th, the Washington Nationals will host the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m., at RFK Stadium. With an expected attendance of 45,000, Metro will provide the following additional service for baseball fans:
Metro will operate 14 extra trains before and after the baseball game.
There will be free, one-way shuttle buses available from RFK Stadium to Union Station from the beginning of the 8th inning.
Metro station managers and employees who volunteer their time on July 4th to serve as Metro Information Persons, will direct customers to alternative downtown Metrorail stations other than the Smithsonian. In addition, Metro Transit Police will be deployed at the busiest downtown and end-of-the-line stations to patrol and monitor the flow of crowds.
Metrorail system "Walking Maps" which provide information on how best to get from a Metrorail station to a particular destination in the downtown area will also be available for July 4th. Metro’s Web site will have additional information at www.metroopensdoors.com. The Customer Service Call Center (202-637-7000 or TTY 202-638-3780) will be in operation that day for those who need to call for information on riding the Metrobus or Metrorail system.
Customers are reminded of the following tips:
Parking is free at all Metrorail stations on July 4th.
Have enough money on your SmarTrip card or purchase a One Day rail pass if making multiple trips or buy a round-trip farecard when first entering the rail system to avoid long lines when going home.
Individuals should use the Passes/Vendors farecard machines to make simultaneous purchases of multiple farecards for individuals traveling in a group.
If a customer sees anything suspicious, they should approach a Metro Transit Police officer, inform a Metro employee in uniform, or call Metro Transit Police on its 24-hour communications line at 202-962-2121.
News release issued on June 16, 2005.