Frequently Asked Questions

About the Project

Why is Metro doing this work and why is it happening during these two weeks?

Metro strategically picked these closure dates to minimize impacts to your travel. Typically, during this time of year, ridership is historically 40% lower. One longer closure also prevents months-worth of weekend shutdowns in the same area.

How and where did Metro notify the public of the winter construction?

Passengers were informed of track work impacts on service through multiple channels, including MetroAlerts, our website, advertising, station signs, social posts, news media outlets, and in-person notification. We posted the following advisories:

Travel Options

Are there additional travel options while Blue, Orange, and Silver Line service is unavailable?

Yes. Free shuttle bus service will replace trains during the Blue, Orange, and Silver Line station closures. Visit the Free Shuttle Service page for information about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.

During the construction, what travel options are available to access downtown event venues, shopping, and museums?

This area is accessible via Gallery Place station on the Green and Yellow Lines. It is also within walking distance of the Judiciary Square, which is served by the Red Line, as well as Archives on the Green and Yellow Lines.

Will I be charged an additional fee to ride the shuttle buses and connect back to the rail system?

No, customers will not be charged to ride a shuttle and connect back to the rail system. During this work, we're offering "virtual tunnels," which allow customers to transfer above ground by walking or taking a shuttle to another station while only being charged the fare they would have paid if they continued on the Metrorail system.

Where can I find information about other station closures and track work in the Metrorail system?

For all upcoming scheduled closures, track work, and other service impacts, visit wmata.com/trackwork.

Shuttle Bus Service

Where can I learn more about the shuttle bus service?

Free shuttle buses will replace trains during the Blue, Orange, and Silver Line construction. Metro will provide shuttle bus service to the impacted stations. Visit the Free Shuttle Service page for information about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.

Will shuttle bus information be available on Metro's Trip Planner?

Metro will update the Trip Planner with shuttle bus and rail service information to ensure accurate trip planning. Once the Trip Planner is updated, third-party apps and websites will also use that data to update their information.

What will the hours of operation and frequencies be for the free shuttle bus service at the impacted stations?

Shuttles will be available during Metrorail operating hours, with service operating approximately every 8-12 minutes. Wait times may be longer during rush hours due to traffic conditions.

Where can I find other travel options besides shuttle bus service?

Metro offers a convenient tool called Service Nearby. This site allows customers to enter their starting location. After submitting the request, bus and rail options are provided. The site even includes walking directions to the starting location.

What will the shuttle buses look like?

Standard Metrobus and coach (tour) buses will be used on all shuttle routes. The destination is displayed on the signage on the front of the bus.

Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show their SmarTrip card to board the shuttle buses.

Parking and Biking

Can I take my bike or scooter on the shuttle buses?

Yes, bicycles can be stowed in the luggage compartment of the coach buses and transported on the front racks of Metrobus. Scooters are allowed onboard the Metrobus if it is an electrical device that can be folded and stored between your legs or under the bus seat while traveling. It must be powered off when traveling. Metro does not allow gas-powered scooters onboard.

Fares

Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show a SmarTrip card to board the shuttle buses.

How will I be able to load my SmarTrip card if the station is closed?

Customers can reload their SmarTrip card online, set up Auto Reload, or use the SmarTrip app. For other ways to pay, customers can add their SmarTrip to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay and pay using their Android phone, iPhone, or Apple Watch. For more information, please visit our Mobile Pay page. Customers can also load SmarTrip cards at any other Metro station.

Accessibility

Will the shuttle buses and bus stops be accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, all shuttle buses (standard Metrobus and coach buses) will be ADA-accessible. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) are available for customers upon request. Please ask a staff member at a shuttle bus stop for further assistance.

Does Metro allow strollers and how should they be stored on shuttles/buses?

Strollers are permitted on buses. However, we encourage customers to store them in the coach bus's storage compartment or collapse them while riding on a Metrobus.

Can I bring my service animal on the shuttle buses?

Yes, service animals that assist people with disabilities will be permitted on the shuttle buses.

Will bilingual staff be available to provide information and assistance to customers?

Yes, bilingual Spanish-speaking Metro staff will be at all impacted stations to provide information and assistance to customers. Based on station-specific needs, Metro staff may also speak other languages, such as Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Mandarin. Metro outreach staff will wear language buttons to inform you which languages they speak.