Metro News Release
For immediate release: March 8, 2016
With spring in the air, Metro announces five consecutive weekends of regular service, largely free of track work
In a sign that spring has finally arrived in the National Capital Region, Metro today announced five consecutive weekends of regular service--largely free of track work--for the 2016 Cherry Blossom season, a time when weekend ridership can nearly double.
This year, trains will run at regular weekend intervals over the following weekends*:
| * Note: On these weekends, Metro may schedule track work after 10 p.m. on Sunday nights when ridership is extremely light. |
In addition, track work this upcoming weekend (March 12-13) will be limited to just three stations on the Red Line and two stations on the Yellow Line. Specifically:
- On the Red Line, riders at Glenmont, Wheaton and Forest Glen will be served by a shuttle train to/from Silver Spring every 20 minutes throughout the weekend. Customers should transfer between trains at Silver Spring to continue their trip.
- On the Yellow Line Sunday morning, buses will replace trains at Eisenhower Ave and Huntington stations as Metro conducts an emergency response drill. Service at these stations will be normal all day Saturday and after the exercise concludes on Sunday afternoon.
- All other stations will have regular Metrorail service throughout the weekend.
Travel Tips
Metro encourages all customers to consider the following travel advice for a more pleasant trip during Cherry Blossom season:
- Travel at off-peak times. Trains and stations are always more crowded during Cherry Blossom season. Visitors are encouraged to travel during non-rush hour times and avoid travelling at the peak of evening rush hour (4 to 6 p.m.) when trains are most crowded.
- Avoid Smithsonian. Smithsonian Station can become extremely busy with visitors at this time of year. Consider L’Enfant Plaza, Archives, Arlington Cemetery or Federal Triangle stations instead.
- Buy in advance. Load your SmarTrip card with enough value for your entire roundtrip, in advance.
- Multiple trips? Consider a One-Day Pass. For maximum convenience, visitors can purchase an unlimited One-Day Pass for $14.50 at any station. The pass allows you to take an unlimited number of Metrorail trips on the day it is used, through system closing time.
Reminder: Metro no longer accepts paper farecards to enter or exit the system. You can purchase a new SmarTrip card for $2 at any Metrorail station. (If you still have a paper farecard, you can transfer the value to a new SmarTrip card at most Metrorail stations or any Metro sales office. See a station manager for assistance.)
For More Information
National Cherry Blossom Festival website
News release issued at 10:52 am, March 8, 2016.