As DMV residents return to work, many are in need of public transportation (and its regular, pre-COVID operating hours) again. Luckily for commuters, Metro recently announced it is adding more buses, trains and extended hours as part of its COVID-19 recovery plan, beginning Sunday, Aug. 16.
On that day, Metro will restore most services to pre-COVID levels, while maintaining new safety protocols for riders. Metrorail will add 15 more service hours per week, and will return opening times to normal service hours. Plus, the system will close two hours later each night in anticipation of potential increases in ridership after Labor Day.
Metrobus will begin offering more buses and running more frequent service on Sunday, Aug. 23, restoring about 75% of pre-pandemic service. Weekday services will improve on 174 bus routes, with most routes operating close to normal. They will all operate until midnight.
Lastly, in an effort to provide transportation options for late-night workers, Metro is increasing the subsidy from $3 to $6 for on-demand transportation service after hours, a program known as the After-Hours Commuter Service, which gives qualified workers a subsidy toward a shared ride on Lyft for trips between their home and workplace between midnight and 4 a.m. Click here to apply for the program.
For more information, visit wmata.com.
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