Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 30, 2011

Metro announces early openings for events on Sunday, Oct. 9, 16 and 30


System to open early to accommodate Army 10-miler, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication and Marine Corps Marathon

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles today announced that the Metrorail system would open early on three Sundays in October to accommodate customers traveling to special events in the region.

On Sunday, Oct. 9, the system will open an hour early at 6 a.m. for the Army 10-miler; on Sunday, Oct. 16, as previously announced, the system will open two hours early at 5 a.m. for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication; and on Sunday, Oct. 30, the system will open two hours early at 5 a.m. for the Marine Corps Marathon.

Army 10-Miler Race, Sunday, Oct. 9

  • Metrorail will open one hour early, at 6 a.m.
  • Metro will operate additional Blue Line trains between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., and from 11:15 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
  • Blue Line trains toward the Pentagon will depart every 7½ minutes from Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory stations.
  • Bus service at the Pentagon Transit Center will be relocated to Pentagon City until roadways are reopened around 2 p.m.
  • Participants and spectators taking Metrorail to the race should exit at Pentagon or Pentagon City stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines.
  • Parking will be free at all Metro-operated lots. Customers planning to park are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
  • Race participants are encouraged to use a SmarTrip card or a plastic cover to protect paper farecards. In previous years, race participants have had their farecards demagnetized due to moisture.
  • On the Green/Yellow lines, customers are reminded that buses will replace trains between Georgia Avenue and Mt. Vernon Sq. and three stations—Shaw, U Street and Columbia Heights—will be closed as Metro installs new track switches. [more info]
  • Buses will also replace Orange Line trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church as work continues on the Dulles rail extension project. Customers planning to drive and park at an Orange Line station should consider using East Falls Church and stations east to avoid the work zone. [more info]

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication, Sunday, Oct. 16

  • Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m.
  • More eight-car trains will be used to provide additional capacity.
  • Bicycles will not be permitted in the Metrorail system.
  • Parking will be free at all Metro operated lots. Customers planning to park are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
  • Metrobus service will operate on a normal Sunday schedule. However, detours are possible due to street closures around the National Mall. Bus customers traveling via downtown are encouraged to allow additional travel time.

Marine Corps Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 30

  • Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m.
  • At the request of marathon organizers, Arlington Cemetery Station on the Blue Line will open after the start of the race.
  • Metro will operate additional Blue Line trains from 5 to 9 a.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Blue Line trains will operate every 7 1Ž2 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory stations.
  • Buses that normally use the Pentagon Transit Center will be relocated to Pentagon City Station between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. Customers who normally travel to transfer between bus and rail at the Pentagon should plan to travel via Pentagon City instead.
  • Race participants are encouraged to use a SmarTrip card or a plastic cover to protect paper farecards. In previous years, race participants have had their farecards demagnetized due to moisture.
  • On the Green Line, customers are reminded that buses will replace trains between L'Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue and four stations—Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congress Heights—will be closed as Metro installs new track switches.

For more information on Metrorail and Metrobus, customers are encouraged to call (202) 637-7000, TT (202) 638-3780, or visit Metro's website at wmata.com.

 

News release issued at 1:56 pm, September 30, 2011.