Metro milestones and history
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA, or "Metro") was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area.
Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metro Rail in 1976. The paratransit service, Metro Access, began in 1994.
Today, Metro Rail serves 98 stations and has 128 miles of track. Metro Bus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metro Rail and Metro Bus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction.
Metro’s beginnings
In the early 1950s, Congress and our local governments had the idea to create a world-class transit system for our growing region, and after 15 years of preparation and planning, Metro was born in 1967.
This 20-page instruction guide was a Metro advertising insert included in the Washington Star on March 21, 1976, a week before Metro Rail opened. It told new customers how to use and take care of the system.
This 15-page instruction guide highlighted the new fare changes and Metro's new Blue Line opening.
50th Anniversary Metro Ownder's Manual
An updated version of the original owner's manual created for the 50th anniversary of Metro in 2026.
Building out the network
During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, we built and opened Metro Rail lines one after another, with the first Metro Rail service launching in 1976. We expanded Metro Bus, launched Metro Access, and won awards and set ridership records.
Metro in the new century
In 2001, we completed the initial Metro Rail system, but that was only the beginning. Over the next twenty years and counting, we’ve modernized our equipment and operations and opened new lines and stations, including the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County.
We also opened a modern Metro headquarters near L’Enfant Plaza, and Metro office buildings in Maryland and Virginia, too.