Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 3, 2012
Travel tips for getting to the games this weekend
Washington sports fans taking Metrorail to either the Capitals game at Verizon Center or the Nationals game at Nationals Park on Saturday, May 5, should plan for extra travel time this weekend and sign up for MetroAlerts to stay informed about changes to bus and rail service.
Depending on where they are traveling from, customers may want to modify their usual route and plan for some additional travel time as Metro continues its massive rebuilding effort to improve safety and reliability.
This weekend scheduled work will take place on portions of the Red, Green, Blue and Orange lines. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday, May 4, and continue through system closing on Sunday, May 6.
To help ease crowding, Metro plans to operate extra “gap trains” after the games to help move crowds out of Gallery Place and Navy Yard stations. Metro will also have extra staff at key stations for customer assistance and crowd control.
Tips for getting to Verizon Center this weekend
- The closest station is Gallery Place, served by Metro’s Red, Green and Yellow lines.
- Customers traveling from Virginia should consider taking the Yellow Line for a direct trip Gallery Place. Yellow Line service will operate on normal weekend intervals between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square.
- Riders on the eastern end of the Red Line or northern end of the Green Line, can consider driving and parking at Fort Totten to connect with either the Red or Green lines.
- Customers from points south and east should consider Green Line stations south of downtown. Green Line service will operate normally between Branch Avenue and Fort Totten throughout the weekend.
- Blue and Orange line customers should consider walking from Metro Center to avoid transferring. Metro Center is about six blocks away from the arena.
- Many Metrobus routes stop nearby, including the 70, 74, X2, 80, P6, 42, D3 and D4.
- The DC Circulator also is an option.
Tips for getting to Nationals Park this weekend
- The closest station is Navy Yard on Metro’s Green Line, but Capitol South on the Orange and Blue lines is a short walk (about 8 blocks or 0.8 miles) to the north of the ballpark. Blue and Orange line customers should consider walking from Capitol South to avoid transferring.
- Riders on the eastern end of the Red Line or northern end of the Green Line, may consider driving and parking at Fort Totten to connect with the Green Line.
- Those who drive and park also may consider parking at stations on the southern end of the Green Line. Anacostia station, for example, is one stop from Navy Yard, is conveniently located off of DC-295 and provides secure garage parking. Green Line service will operate normally between Branch Avenue and Fort Totten throughout the weekend.
- Metrobus routes that stop within walking distance include the 74, P1, P2, V8 and V9.
- The DC Circulator also is an option, especially for customers traveling from Union Station.
For riders who drive and park at Metro stations
- Consider parking at stations that are not directly impacted by scheduled weekend track work.
- Riders on the eastern end of the Red Line or northern end of the Green Line should consider driving and parking at Fort Totten to connect with Red or Green line service to downtown.
- If you typically take the Beltway and park at Greenbelt, consider driving to New Carrollton and taking the Orange Line to your destination instead.
- Anacostia station and other stations south of Navy Yard on the Green Line also provide options for getting to Navy Yard or Gallery Place.
- Customers traveling from points south might also consider using Yellow Line service from Huntington Station, which is easily accessible from the Capital Beltway.
Additional tips for customers
- Plan a route that gets you close to your destination without having to transfer.
- Sign up for MetroAlerts to be notified of Metrorail and Metrobus service disruptions.
- Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to the venue. Consider arriving at the game early and waiting until crowds disperse after the game ends.
- Be sure you load enough value for your entire roundtrip on your SmarTrip card or fare card to avoid lines at fare vendors after the game.
This weekend's scheduled track work:
Green Line: Buses will replace trains between Greenbelt and Fort Totten to allow for NTSB-recommended switch replacement. Greenbelt, College Park, Prince George’s Plaza and West Hyattsville stations will be closed. Green Line trains will operate normally between Fort Totten and Branch Avenue. Customers using shuttle bus service should add up to 50 minutes to their travel time. Customers who normally drive and park at Greenbelt should consider using New Carrollton Station on the Orange Line as an alternate.
Red Line: Trains will single track in two locations throughout the weekend—between Forest Glen and Takoma, and between Van Ness and Dupont Circle. Red Line trains between Shady Grove and Glenmont will operate every 24 minutes throughout the weekend. Customers should allow 20 minutes of additional travel time. Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, additional trains will operate between Farragut North and New York Avenue only, providing service every 12 minutes in the downtown core. Customers on the eastern side of the Red Line may wish to consider using Green Line service as an alternate travel option between Fort Totten and Gallery Place.
Orange and Blue lines: Trains will single track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory. Throughout the weekend, Orange and Blue line trains will operate every 20 minutes. Customers should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.
Orange Line: In addition, trains will share a single track between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.
Metrorail operates from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and from 7 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Off-peak fares are in effect all day and parking is free in Metro parking facilities.
Other resources: Capital Bikeshare DC Circulator
News release issued at 1:00 pm, May 3, 2012.