WMATA Announces Service Improvements

Following the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) announcement of a potential $750 million budget shortfall last week, the agency has rolled out its tenth service improvement since last summer with changes impacting the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines, as well as 68 bus routes.

“WMATA has adapted to post-pandemic travel patterns to provide safe, frequent and reliable service at all times of the day, all days of the week to serve all types of customers connecting our amazing region to all its possibilities,” the agency stated in a release.

According to WMATA, beginning Monday, June 26, Orange Line trains will operate every 10 minutes from opening until 9:30 p.m., and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m., seven days a week, an improvement on the current 12-minute weekday frequency during peak hours and 15 minutes weekday frequencies during off-peak hours. Orange Line customers, WMATA adds, are reminded of ongoing summer construction work through July 16. Visit wmata.com/2023majorconstruction for more information.

Additionally, Blue and Silver line trains will operate every 12 minutes from opening until 9:30 p.m., and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m., seven days a week, an improvement on current 15-minute weekday frequencies during off-peak hours.

With Monday’s service improvements, WMATA says it will be running more train service now than at any other time in its 47-year history. The agency will have 58% more trains in service on weekdays compared to last July and provide 73% more train trips.

“Customers between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory could see trains every four minutes,” said WMATA Senior Vice President Kristie Swink Benson, according to an ABC 7News report. “So, if you have access to multiple lines, the frequency with which you receive trains is going to be significant.”

Additionally, improvements to Metrobus began on Sunday, June 25, with service expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels by 4%. Customers will see improvements on 68 routes, including expanding the reach of WMATA’s Frequent Service Network to more customers and routes.

Simpler fares are also coming Monday, according to WMATA. Metrorail rides will have one distance-based fare on weekdays before 9:30 p.m., eliminating peak fares during morning and evening rush periods. After 9:30 p.m. and on weekends, customers will still enjoy a $2 flat fare per trip. Regular Metrobus fares will remain $2 per trip, and on MetroAccess, the maximum fare will be reduced to $4 per trip.

According to WMATA, Metrorail and Metrobus ridership continues to grow, serving a combined post-pandemic high of 802,000 trips on Tuesday, June 6. Peak-period travel is also increasing. The 5 p.m. hour on Tuesday, June 6, was the highest single hour on Metrorail since the pandemic began, and the 8 a.m. hour on Wednesday, June 7, was the busiest morning commute since the pandemic began.

“People rely on transportation, and we have a responsibility to be there for them, no matter where they’re going or what they’re doing and no matter what time of day it is,” Benson added, according to the ABC 7News report.