Metrorail accessibility

Accessibility & safety features

For customers with disabilities, Metrorail offers an ideal way to travel throughout the Washington, DC area. To plan a trip on Metrorail and/or Metrobus, please use the online Metro Trip Planner.

Metrorail stations are easily identifiable from street level - simply look for the familiar pylons with station names, rail line colors, elevator locations, and accessible entrances indicated by the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA). The directions on these pylons are at low height for wheelchair users and recommended eye-level for customers using Braille. Extra-wide faregates located in the Metrorail stations offer easy access for wheelchair users, TTY-equipped telephones and public telephones are located on all station mezzanines.

Emergency intercoms are located on every platform, on elevator call buttons and in mini-mezzanines; station managers may not be visible, but have camera view of the area. Station managers and rail station employees have received ADA Customer Service Training and are ready to assist people with disabilities and senior citizens.

Bumpy domes along the platform at all key and new stations alert customers that the edge is near, and flashing lights indicate arriving trains. Large, electronic signs on each platform display train arrivals and delays and provide information about elevator outages. (See stations with bumpy domes).

Rubber gap reducers decrease the gap between the platform and the train by an additional 1.5 inches, making boarding easier and safer. Door chimes and announcements indicate when the train doors are closing.

Between rail car barriers alert customers who are blind or have low vision of the space between the rail cars so they do not mistake this space for the door to the inside of the rail car.

Once on board, priority seating for customers with disabilities and senior citizens is located at the center of each rail car next to the doors. Emergency intercoms with instructions in raised alphabet and Braille are located in every train car with low level call buttons for customers using wheelchairs. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with speech impairments can simply press the button to alert the rail operator that assistance is needed.

New and rehabilitated train cars have visual displays that identify upcoming station stops and an arrow indicating the side of the train that the door will open. All new cars ordered include this feature.

Inside the rail stations, the International Symbol of Accessibility provide directions to the elevator location on wall-mounted station signs and on information pylons on all platforms.

For those customers with disabilities who drive to a Metrorail station, priority parking is available for customers with DMV permits or license plates.