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WMATA will close Blue Line for Veterans Day Show


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 October 2014 - 05:36 PM

WTOP radio, 10/21:

For Veterans Day show, Metro to close one line, expand others

WASHINGTON -- The Veterans Day crowd on the National Mall this year may dwarf a typical Fourth of July gathering and look more like an inauguration -- minus a few warm layers.

To accommodate a crowd projected to reach the hundreds of thousands, Metro has shuffled its schedule and planned for a one-day closure of Blue Line service.

"The benefit is that we're able to provide longer trains and much more frequent service on all of the other lines," says Dan Stessel, a Metro spokesman.

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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 October 2014 - 05:41 PM

WRC-TV (NBC), Washington, DC 10/20:

Metro to Shut Down Blue Line for Concert for Valor

Metro plans to shut down the Blue Line on Veterans Day to help shuttle the hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend the Concert for Valor.

Transportation leaders have been scrambling to put together a game plan to move to and from the National Mall for the Nov. 11 concert featuring Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Eminem, Zach Brown Band and Rihanna.

Metro says it will replace all Blue Line service with Yellow Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt. A special shuttle train will operate between National Airport and Arlington Cemetery, News4's transportation reporter Adam Tuss reports.

HBO says it is putting up extra cash to make sure there is adequate transportation in place. The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and run until 10 p.m.

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#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 22 October 2014 - 12:56 AM

Well, I'd say it's a different approach. There are still some passengers who will be inconvenienced by this move, especially those who use the Blue Line between Rosslyn and Pentagon. Those on that line who are travelling at the time of the heavy concert travel not only don't have their direct route that might avoid downtown Washington, DC, but they are also forced to enter the fray of concert-goers to make their transfer at L'Enfant Plaza.


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#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 10 November 2014 - 11:42 AM

WMATA news release, 11/10:

Taking Metro to Concert for Valor: Five things to know

Tomorrow, Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, a major concert will be held on the National Mall that could draw up to 800,000 attendees -- larger than July 4 and many Presidential Inaugurations. In order to safely and efficiently provide rail service for as many riders as possible, Metro will make several service adjustments to maximize train capacity.

Here are five things to know for those taking Metro to the event:

1. All stations will be open except Smithsonian. Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight. Nine stations near the National Mall will remain open past midnight if necessary to accommodate concertgoers after the event (you must be in line by midnight). Arlington Cemetery will be served by rail shuttle trains from the south, as well as free buses from Rosslyn and Pentagon stations.

2. Additional Yellow Line trains will replace Blue Line service between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt. Because Yellow Line trains get Virginia riders to the concert 12 minutes faster than Blue Line trains, this service change will allow Metro to run trains more frequently and maximize space for other riders. Trains will run as frequently as every three minutes before and after the event. Riders who normally use Blue Line trains can use Yellow and Silver/Orange trains instead (transfer at L'Enfant Plaza), or take advantage of free shuttle bus service between Pentagon and Rosslyn from 5 a.m. until closing.

3. Know what not to bring. Bicycles and large coolers will be prohibited on Metrorail all day to maximize space for all riders. Prohibited items at the concert 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. In addition, for security reasons, all Metrorail restrooms will be closed on Veterans Day.

4. Travel without transferring. Metro recommends planning your trip so that you do not have to transfer between rail lines. Choose a station near the National Mall on the same line as where you begin your trip, and then return to the same station after the concert.

5. Pre-load your SmarTrip card. To avoid long lines after the concert, load enough value on your farecard or SmarTrip in advance for your entire roundtrip. If using a paper farecard, add $2 per roundtrip. (To avoid this surcharge, use SmarTrip.) Due to the holiday, off-peak fares will be in effect all day. Parking at all Metro-owned facilities will be free.

For complete details, visit wmata.com/valor and download the Official Rider Guide here.

Veterans Day Metrorail Service Map included in online release.

#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 11 November 2014 - 11:19 PM

WMATA Service Updates, 11/11:

8:03 pm:

Metro Service Update: Smithsonian Station to Reopen at 10 p.m.

*** UPDATE TO METRO SERVICE PLAN ***

Metro will reopen Smithsonian Station at 10 p.m. for entrance only for the benefit of those attending the Concert for Valor on the National Mall. Smithsonian will be a good alternate to L'Enfant Plaza for riders traveling to destinations on the Silver or Orange lines.

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10:50 pm:

Metrorail will close at midnight


As of 10:45 p.m., all Concert for Valor crowds have been accommodated. As a result, all Metrorail stations will close at their normal times (midnight).




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