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[CNJRoss]

WMATA service advisory:

 

Posted: Jun 29, 2015 Expiration: Jul 05, 2015

July 3rd & 4th service information

 

Metro is the fastest, most convenient way to get to July 4 holiday weekend festivities on the National Mall or any of the other great events around the National Capital Region.  Here is an overview of rail and bus service on the holiday, as well as some important travel tips for riders:

 

HOURS & SERVICE

Friday, July 3 (Holiday observed)

• Metrorail: Open 7 a.m. until 3 a.m.  Trains will run on a Saturday schedule.
• Parking: Free at all Metro-operated facilities. 
• Fares: Off-Peak fares will be in effect all day.
• Metrobus: Saturday supplemental schedule.
• MetroAccess: Regular service hours.  Subscription trips are cancelled. Please ensure all July 4 reservations are booked before 4:30 p.m. on July 3.
• Customer Service: Will be closed.

Saturday, July 4

• Metrorail: Open 7 a.m. until 3 a.m.  Trains will run on a Saturday schedule until about 2 p.m., and then gradually ramp up to near rush-hour service levels before and after the fireworks. Due to large crowds, bicycles and large coolers are not permitted. Silver Line trains will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and Stadium-Armory for the entire service day. Passengers traveling to/from stations east of Stadium-Armory will need to use a Blue Line train to complete their trip.
• Parking:  Free at all Metro-operated facilities.
• Metrobus: Saturday schedule. Expect detours around the National Mall.
• MetroAccess: Regular service hours.  Subscription trips are cancelled. Please ensure all July 4 reservations are booked before 4:30 p.m. on July 3.
• Customer Service: Open 7 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. by calling 202 637-7000; Lost & Found will be closed.

TRAVELING TO THE NATIONAL MALL

The closest Metrorail station to the Mall is Smithsonian

. 

While many passengers choose to use Smithsonian, this station can become overcrowded during larger Mall events.  Metro recommends selecting a destination station on the same line as your origin to avoid the need to transfer. There is a station near the Mall on every line. Here is a list of suggested stations:

• Foggy Bottom
• Metro Center
• Federal Triangle
• Archives
• Gallery Place
• Judiciary Square
• Union Station
• L’Enfant Plaza
• Capitol South
• Federal Center SW
• Arlington Cemetery

 

 

This year, Smithsonian station will be open all day, however, the mall entrance will become ENTRANCE ONLY after 9:30 p.m. The Independence Avenue entrance will be available for both entry and exit throughout the entire day. Sign up for MetroAlerts or follow us on Twitter @metrorailinfo for up-to-the-minute station information.

 

METROBUS INFORMATION
Routes 30N, 30S,  32, 36, 39, 52, 54 and 74 operate along the perimeter of the Mall at various locations. Use our Trip Planner for specific date and time travel information, as some nearby Metrobus routes operate Monday through Friday only. Another helpful resource is our holiday service schedule.

 

FARE INFORMATION

• Determine your fare, use the Trip Planner and enter July 4 as the travel date. Each passenger must have his or her own fare card, SmarTrip card or One-Day Pass.
• Multiple trips? Buy a One-Day Pass. To avoid potentially long lines at fare vending machines, all Metro riders are encouraged to purchase a One-Day Pass. By purchasing a One-Day Pass, a rider can take unlimited trips on Metrorail throughout the day.
• Buy in advance. Skip the long lines at vending machines by loading enough value for your entire roundtrip, in advance, on your SmarTrip card. If you use a paper fare card, you must add $1 to the fare of each trip ($2 per round trip). 

TRAVEL TIPS

• Travel light. Customers are discouraged from bringing large coolers or other bulky items aboard trains.
• Smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within Metrorail stations or aboard trains.
• Traveling with a stroller? use the elevator, not the escalators.
• Always stand back from the platform edge for your safety.
• Do not hold the train doors. They do not operate like elevator doors and will not automatically reopen.
• When boarding the train, step all the way into the car to make room for passengers boarding behind you.
• On Metrorail, it is customary for riders to stand to the right while using escalators.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

• For your safety, any bag, package or container carried into the Metrorail system may be subject to random, non-invasive security screening by Metro Transit Police.
• Prohibited items at many events include alcohol, bicycles, explosives/fireworks, glass containers, coolers, animals (except service animals), weapons, and more. Be sure to check the event website for a complete list. If in doubt about whether an item will be permitted, it is best to leave it home.
• See something suspicious? Say something! Report suspicious activity or unattended items to Metro Transit Police. Call 202-962-2121 or text MyMTPD (696873). 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Passengers can access Metro's mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser.
• For assistance by phone, call Customer Information at (202) 637-7000.
  Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release, 7/2:

 

July 4 Metro service information

 

Metro will provide frequent rail service during the afternoon and evening hours of Saturday, July 4, to accommodate those attending the fireworks display on the National Mall and the Foo Fighters concert at RFK Stadium.

 

Several hundred thousand passengers are expected to take Metrorail on Independence Day, with crowds primarily traveling to and from the 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall, as well as other events around the region. Metrorail service will operate from 7 a.m. until 3 a.m., with near rush-hour service levels before and after the fireworks. Off-peak fares will be in effect until midnight. At 12:01 a.m. through closing on Sunday at 3 a.m., peak fares will be in effect in accordance with Metro's standard fare policies.

 

There will be no scheduled track work anywhere on the system on the holiday. Silver Line trains will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and Stadium-Armory for the entire service day. Passengers traveling to/from stations east of Stadium-Armory will need to use a Blue Line train to complete their trip.

 

Riders are encouraged to travel to a station on the same line as their starting point to avoid crowds at transfer stations. For example, riders on the Green and Yellow lines should consider walking from L’Enfant Plaza, rather than transferring to the Orange or Blue lines. After the event, walk back to the same station, on the same line as your origin.

 

This year, Smithsonian Station will be open all day, however, the Mall entrance will become “entry-only” after 9:30 p.m. The Independence Avenue entrance will be available for both entry and exit throughout the entire day. 

 

At Stadium-Armory Station, to accommodate expected crowds for the Foo Fighters event, the entrance closest to the Stadium will be "exit only" from noon until 11 p.m. and then "entry only" from 11 p.m. until after the departing crowds are accommodated. The station's second entrance, which will be less crowded, will be open for entry and exit throughout the entire day. Riders attending the RFK event are reminded to load enough value on their SmarTrip or farecard to pay for their return trip, which will be a peak fare if entering the system after midnight. Also, for those using a paper farecard, remember to protect it from moisture during the event.

 

For complete details and travel tips, please see the Service Advisory and these videos:

 

Using Metrorail to the National Mall on July 4

 

Rider Tips for Metrorail on July 4