[PR] Weekend: Metro service limited to 26 bus routes, reduced rail service; expect wait times of 30 minutes; customers urged to travel only if essential
For immediate release: March 26, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, Metro will operate significantly reduced rail and bus service this weekend, maintaining a core network of 26 “lifeline” bus routes and providing twice-hourly rail service for our region’s essential travel needs. Essential travel includes medical providers and hospital staff, first responders, critical government functions, individuals involved in helping the community respond to COVID-19, grocery and pharmacy trips, among others.
• Please follow urgent guidance from state and local officials: Stay at home.
• Metro is intended for essential trips only. Do not take Metro to view cherry blossoms or other non-essential trips.
• If you are not feeling well, do not take public transportation. Call your healthcare provider before you leave your home and follow their guidance.
Metro has closed 19 of the system’s 91 rail stations until further notice. The closure list includes stations near the Tidal Basin to discourage anyone from using Metro to visit the cherry blossoms this year.
On Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, Metro will provide lifeline service between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11 p.m. as follows:
Metrorail: Trains will operate on all lines, serving all open stations. Take note of 19 stations that are closed (no alternate transportation provided). Customers should expect wait times of up to 30 minutes between trains.
Metrobus: Service will operate on a limited schedule only on the 26 routes listed below. Routes that are not listed will not operate. Customers should expect wait times of up to 30 minutes between buses. The hours that buses operate will vary by route but will generally align with the start and end of service on a Sunday schedule. Please be aware that bus operators may bypass stops if necessary to maintain proper social distancing aboard the vehicle. Please use the rear door of the bus only.
• 54 – 14th Street Line
• S4 – 16th Street Line
• 70 – Georgia Avenue – 7th Street Line
• 83 – College Park Line
• 90 – U Street – Garfield Line
• C4 – Greenbelt – Twinbrook Line
• X2 – Benning Road – H Street Line
• 16C – Columbia Pike Line
• 28A – Leesburg Pike Line
• 29K – Alexandria – Fairfax Line
• 29N – Alexandria – Fairfax Line
• 30N – Friendship Heights – Southeast Line
• 30S – Friendship Heights – Southeast Line
• A6 – Anacostia – Congress Heights Line
• B2 – Bladensburg Road – Anacostia Line
• D12 - Oxon Hill-Suitland Line
• F4 - New Carrollton-Silver Spring Line
• H4 – Crosstown Line
• J2 – Bethesda – Silver Spring Line
• K6 – New Hampshire Avenue – Maryland Line
• P12 – Eastover – Addison Road Line
• REX – Richmond Highway Express
• V4 - Capitol Heights-Minnesota Avenue Line
• W4 – Deanwood – Alabama Avenue Line
• Y2 – Georgia Avenue – Maryland Line
• Z8 – Fairland
New shuttles available to all customers but using MetroAccess vans will connect three rail stations with hospitals from 8am through 11pm to match the rail schedule.
Sibley Hospital
Shuttle from: Friendship Heights Station
Transfer location: Bus Bay G, Stop #2001506
Georgetown University Hospital
Shuttle from: Dupont Metro (Q Street)
Transfer location: Bus Stop #1003746
Prince George’s Hospital
New Carrollton (South Side)
Bus Bay A, Stop #3003032
MetroAccess: Service will continue to operate during the same hours as rail and bus services. Metro continues to emphasize that customers must not use MetroAccess to travel to healthcare appointments if they are showing signs of illness for the safety of our employees and other passengers. If you are ill, call your healthcare provider and make transportation arrangements that do not involve public transportation. In addition, the MetroAccess Eligibility Center is closed until further notice.
Metro is operating at the highest response level of its Pandemic Response Plan (Phase 3), and the transit authority’s Pandemic Task Force is actively monitoring developments and acting when necessary to protect employees, customers, and the community. During Phase 3, the public is reminded emergency service changes may be necessary. While Metro will always make every effort to give its customers as much notice as possible, please understand emergency adjustments during Phase 3 may occur at any time, with little or no advance notice.
To stay informed:
Current Service Alerts & Advisories
On Twitter: @wmata @metrorailinfo @metrobusinfo