Photo: WMATA
Washington transit authority increases services and cuts fares
18 August 2021
by Christopher Carey
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has announced a range of discounts and service improvements in a bid to entice commuters back on board – including a 50 percent reduction on selected ‘unlimited’ passes.
From 5 September, the authority will also add more buses and trains to its routes, and extend Metrorail’s operating hours on weekends.
The service improvements will bring overall bus and rail service to near pre-pandemic levels, providing 97 percent of pre-COVID service levels on Metrobus and 91 percent on Metrorail.
On some bus routes, and off-peak on rail, service will be more frequent than it was before the pandemic.
“This is a time of change for Metro and our customers, and it’s an opportunity to make our service work better for all riders whether they take Metro to work, the grocery store, visit family or friends or just get around town,” said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg.
“We are adding more rail and bus service, more hours, and working with businesses and the community to ensure the service will be there when riders need it.”
The changes – approved by Metro’s Board of Directors in June – followed extensive public input about how riders plan to travel as schools and workplaces return, and are in keeping with the authority’s aim to provide more service at all times of the day, not just during rush hour.
Service improvements
Among the service improvements, Metro will add more buses on the busiest lines to better serve customers throughout the day, reduce average wait times for buses, restore more services that had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide free bus transfers and discounted passes.
On Metrorail, more trains will run during off-peak hours with average wait times ranging between 2-7 minutes any time of day.
“As the region goes back to work and school, we will be ready with service that is convenient any time of the day and offers the flexibility riders need,” said Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We are also making Metro the best way to go on weekends, with less wait times for trains and just US$2 for a one-way trip anywhere on the rail system.”
