Community Corner
What's Up with the Metro: Fourth of July
Get Independence Day information about the Metro, such as stations to avoid, hours, escalators and more.
For those Greenbelters hopping aboard Metro to spend the Fourth of July in our nation’s capitol, here are some of the ins and outs of Metro's service for the day.
METRORAIL SERVICE ON MONDAY, JULY 4, 2011
On the Fourth of July, Metro will be open from 7 a.m. to midnight. Metro states they will be operating with near rush-hour service levels from 6 p.m. to midnight.
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Track Work, Non-Peak Fares and Free Parking
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The good news is Metro states there is no scheduled track work anywhere on the system, non-peak fares will be in effect all day and parking will be free at all Metrorail stations.
Smithsonian Station
Be aware, the Smithsonian station will be closed most of Monday, and will re-open for “entry-only” at the end of the fireworks display.
Metro riders should use the following stations to access the National Mall:
- Foggy Bottom-GWU
- Metro Center
- Archives Navy Mem’l-Penn Quarter
- Gallery Pl-Chinatown
- Judiciary Square
- Union Station
- L’Enfant Plaza
- Capitol South
- Federal Center SW
Federal Triangle Station
Metro advises riders to avoid using the Federal Triangle station and consider using alternate stations to get to the National Mall, including:
- Farragut North,
- Federal Center SW
- Capitol South
- L’Enfant Plaza
- Archives Navy Memorial
- Union Station
- Judiciary Square stations.
Crowded Trains
Note Metro states, “Metro expects to provide in more than 500,000 rail trips on Independence Day, with crowded trains leading up to the scheduled 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall.” Note me stating it could possibly be crowded on the way home too.
Avoid Transferring to Other Lines at the Listed Stations
Metro encourages customers, if possible, to avoid transferring from one line to another at Metro Center, Gallery Pl-Chinatown or L’Enfant Plaza, as these stations are particularly susceptible to crowding conditions.
For riders heading out to the Nation Mall area from the Greenbelt Metro station, those include your likely transfer points. But there is an alternate transfer point. Riders who switch from the Green Line to the Red Line early at the Fort Totten station, can stay on the Red Line through Gallery Pl-Chinatown and get off at Metro Center or Farragut North.
Farecards
To avoid long lines at fare vending machines following the fireworks, Metro encourages riders to purchase either a One-Day Pass or to have enough fare value on their SmarTrip cards or farecards to complete their round trip. Metro states that each customer must have their own fare card, SmarTrip card or One-Day Pass.
Escalators
Metro also states that for safety reasons escalators at many downtown Metro stations will be turned off to help meter the flow of customers.
Bicycles
Please note bicycles will not be permitted within the Metrorail system.
Orange Line
Beginning at 3 p.m., every other Orange Line train traveling in the direction of New Carrollton will terminate at Stadium-Armory and return to Vienna-Fairfax/GMU.
Yellow Line
After 6 p.m., all Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center stations.
METROBUS SERVICE ON MONDAY, JULY 4
Metrobus will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Metro states that 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 further updates on specific detours, Metro asks that you please check Metro’s website at metroopensdoors.com.
Due to the many short-term bus detours, NextBus, Metro’s automated bus arrival information service will not be able to reflect changes in July 4 bus service.
METROACCESS SERVICE ON MONDAY, JULY 4
MetroAccess will operate on a regular schedule on Monday, July 4. However, all subscription trips will be canceled. Metro states that customers who wish to travel on July 4 will need to call reservations or visit Metro’s website to book their trips.
Metro states to the extent allowable by road closures, MetroAccess will provide regular service after the fireworks, and that customers planning to attend July 4 events on the National Mall and in the downtown area should expect traffic congestion and delays.
For a full list of Metro's details about its Fourth of July service , recommendations and additional information, please see the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
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