Metro will start increasing train service across the rail system starting Monday, March 20.
Weekday service will include an infusion of trains, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in a press release. Additional trains will be available during the Cherry Blossom Festival, as crowds are expected to increase closer to peak bloom.
These improvements come after significant increases in ridership. According to WMATA, Metrorail saw its highest ridership since the pandemic this week, with more than 337,000 on Wednesday. WMATA attributes this to the increased tourism brought by cherry blossom season, along with sports events and entertainment.
“As we add trains and improve service, more and more people are choosing Metrorail,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke in a press release. “Our teams are working hard every day to get more 7000-series trains in service and hire more people so we can make #YourMetro even better.”
Metro service will increase across the system through March 25, making service more reliable and cutting down wait times. Starting March 20, the Silver, Blue, Orange, and Blue+ will have trains arriving every 12 minutes on weekdays between 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory trains will arrive in stations every three minutes during rush hour.
Starting Saturday, March 25, Red Line service will increase to every eight minutes through 9:30 p.m. This change allows the Red Line to line up with the Green Line, which arrives every eight minutes.
Service improvements are expected over the next few months. According to WMATA, improvements will come as they hire more train operators, mechanics and maintenance workers. Additionally, WMATA hopes to increase the availability of 7000-series railcars.
