Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 8, 2012

Metro July 4 Service Information


Additional trains; No scheduled track work

Fireworks

Metro will provide extra rail service on Wednesday, July 4, for the benefit of customers attending holiday festivities on the National Mall and the Washington Nationals day game.

On the holiday, Metrorail service will operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, with near rush-hour service levels from 6 p.m. to midnight. There will be no scheduled track work anywhere on the system.

Due to expected crowding, customers are urged to use stations other than Smithsonian or Federal Triangle. Unlike past years, Smithsonian Station will remain open throughout the day. However, the station will be “entry-only” at the conclusion of the fireworks display.

Rather than using Smithsonian or Federal Triangle, customers traveling to/from the National Mall should consider traveling to and from:

In particular, customers on the Green and Yellow lines should consider walking from L’Enfant Plaza, rather than transferring between lines. L’Enfant Plaza Station is a short walk from the National Mall. Red Line customers should consider using Metro Center, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square or Union Station.

Metro expects to carry more than 500,000 passengers on Independence Day, with crowded trains leading up to the scheduled 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall

Metrorail Service

  • Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Check your station information page for last train departure times.
  • Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule for most of the day, ramping up to near rush-hour service levels in the evening hours. Trains will operate on a regular service pattern; Rush+ will not be in effect.
  • Smithsonian Station will be available for entry-only following the fireworks display.
  • To provide adequate capacity, Metro will operate a combination of six and eight-car trains on most rail lines. Customers should check platform displays and spread out along the platform to use all available cars. An eight-car train will take up the entire length of the platform.
  • Escalators at many downtown Metro stations will be intentionally turned off to help meter the flow of customers entering the system.
  • Beginning at 2 p.m., every other Orange Line train traveling in the direction of New Carrollton will terminate at Stadium-Armory and return to Vienna.
  • Beginning at 6 p.m., all Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square stations only.
  • Beginning at 6 p.m., trains will depart every eight minutes from the end of each rail line and trains will depart every four minutes from Shady Grove and Vienna stations. Trains will operate about every four minutes in the downtown core of Washington.
  • Parking will be free at all Metrorail stations.
  • Due to capacity constraints, bicycles will not be permitted within the Metrorail system.

Fare Information

  • To avoid potentially long lines at fare vending machines following the fireworks, all Metro riders are encouraged to purchase either a One-Day Pass ($14) or ensure that they have enough fare value on their SmarTrip card or paper farecard to complete their entire round trip. Each customer must have their own fare card, SmarTrip card or One-Day Pass.
  • Effective July 1, there is a $1 surcharge per trip when using a paper farecard. Customers are encouraged to buy a SmarTrip card in advance. SmarTrip cards can be purchased in advance at selected stations, CVS, Giant Food, Metro Sales offices, regional transit stores or on the web at smartrip.com.  The $1 surcharge does not apply to One-Day Passes.
  • By purchasing a One-Day Pass for $14, a customer can take unlimited trips on Metrorail throughout the day.
  • To determine your fare, use Metro's Trip Planner and use July 4 as your travel date. Remember to load your card with twice this amount for a round trip.
  • Off-peak fares will be in effect all day.

Important Travel Tips

  • Travel light. Customers are discouraged from bringing large coolers or other bulky items aboard trains.
  • Avoid using Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations, if possible. Instead, consider using other stations within walking distance of the National Mall. After the fireworks, return to the same station.
  • Plan your trip to avoid transferring between rail lines at Metro Center, Gallery Place or L’Enfant Plaza. All rail lines provide service within walking distance of the National Mall.
  • As a reminder, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within Metrorail stations or aboard trains.
  • If traveling with a stroller, use the elevator, not the escalators. If the elevator is out of service, fold the stroller and take children by the hand.
  • Always stand back from the platform edge for your safety.
  • Do not hold the train doors. They do not operate like elevator doors.
  • When boarding the train, step all the way into the car to make room for passengers boarding behind you.
  • On Metrorail, it is customary for riders to stand to the right while using escalators.
  • Because many escalators at downtown stations will be intentionally turned off for crowd control, please give priority use of the elevators to customers with disabilities.

Safety and Security

  • Metro Transit Police will be visible throughout the system to ensure the customer safety and security.
  • Customers are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior, unusual activity or unattended items to any uniformed Metro employee or police officer, or by calling Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
  • As a reminder, any bags or packages brought onto the Metrorail system may be subject to random inspection by Metro Transit Police.

Metrobus Service

  • On July 4, Metrobus will operate on a Saturday schedule.
  • Due to street closures near the National Mall and at various locations throughout the region, riders can expect numerous bus routes to be detoured. For more information and updates on specific detours, sign up for MetroAlerts at wmata.com/metroalerts.
  • Due to the many short-term bus detours, NextBus, Metro’s automated bus arrival information service may not be able to reflect changes in detoured July 4 bus service.

MetroAccess Service

  • MetroAccess will operate on a regular schedule on Wednesday, July 4. However, all subscription trips will be cancelled. Customers who wish to travel on July 4 will need to call MetroAccess reservations or visit Metro’s website to book their trips prior to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, July 3.
  • To the extent allowable by road closures, MetroAccess will provide regular service after the fireworks. Customers planning to attend July 4th events on the National Mall and in the downtown area should expect traffic congestion and delays.

Customer Assistance

  • More than 80 Metro administrative staff will provide additional customer assistance throughout the system.
  • The Metro Information Call Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Lost & Found and customer relations will be closed.
  • Customers needing travel information are encouraged to visit wmata.com.

 

News release issued at 10:43 am, June 8, 2012.