Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 17, 2010
Metro to have additional buses and trains on standby in anticipation of Thanksgiving week travel to regional airports
Metro service to all three airports provides travelers convenient options
As area residents prepare for Thanksgiving holiday travel, Metro is preparing to make it easier for people who are traveling to and from the region’s three airports on Wednesday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 28. Metrorail service is available to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Metrobus will have additional buses on standby to serve the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
On Thursday, Nov. 25, the Metrorail system will operate on a Sunday schedule, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at midnight. Trains on all lines will operate with six cars. Metrorail recorded 113,765 passenger trips on Thanksgiving of 2009.
On Friday, Nov. 26, the Metrorail system will run on a regular weekday schedule from 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. Trains on all lines will operate with six cars. Peak fares will be charged and regular weekday parking rates will apply. Typically, Metrorail ridership the day after Thanksgiving is relatively light. Last year, Metrorail recorded 368,956 passenger trips, which is close to ridership for a typical Saturday.
On Sunday, Nov. 28, Metro will monitor travel to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metrorail station and place additional trains into service should the need arise.
Metrorail will operate its regular schedule on Saturday, Nov. 27, (opening 7 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 28 (opening at 7 a.m. and closing at midnight). Parking will be free at all Metrorail stations on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 28.
Air travelers can reach the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by riding Metro’s Blue or Yellow Line.
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year (2009), 5,952 people entered the Metrorail station at the airport and 12,502 exited the station. In 2009, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 10,359 entered the station and 3,138 exited the station.
Air travelers can reach the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport the airport by riding Metro’s Green Line to the Greenbelt Metrorail station and then catching the B30 Metrobus, which provides direct service from the train station to the airport for only $6. On Nov. 19, 23, 24, 28 and 29, Metro will monitor travel to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on the B30 and place additional buses into service should the need arise. On Thursday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day, the B30 will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Air travelers have two options to reach Washington Dulles International Airport. One option is to take the 5A Metrobus at the L’Enfant Plaza or Rosslyn Metrorail station, which provides direct service to the airport for $6. Another option is to take Metro’s Orange Line to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail station and then take the Washington Flyer bus to the airport. On Nov. 19, 23, 24, 28 and 29, Metro will monitor travel to the Washington Dulles International Airport on the 5A route and place additional buses into service should the need arise. On Thursday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day, the 5A will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For schedules and travel times of Metrobus routes B30 and 5A, please visit Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
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News release issued at 10:01 am, November 17, 2010.