Metro adjusting service plans after Inauguration events moved indoors

Metro to open at 5 a.m.; station closures changing

Metro is adjusting its Inauguration Day service plans since events have been moved indoors due to frigid temperatures.

The following changes were made in conjunction with federal, state, and local partners, including the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and more.

At a Glance

• Metrorail hours and service:  Metrorail will open at 5 a.m., instead of the previously planned 4 a.m., and will run a normal weekday schedule, instead of increased service. The Yellow Line will not run to Greenbelt as previously planned.
• Full station closures:  Archives, Federal Triangle, Mt. Vernon Square, and Pentagon. Trains will bypass these stations.
• Station entrance closures:  Certain station entrances will be closed during select hours at Judiciary Square, McPherson Square, and Union Station. Stations are accessible through other entrances.
• Gallery Place transfer only:  Gallery Place will be open only to customers transferring lines. No entering or exiting Jan. 19 and 20.
• Getting to Capital One Arena:  UPDATED -- Secret Service announced a new security checkpoint entrance late Sunday night. The new security checkpoint to get into the arena is at 4th and H St. NW. Nearby stations include Judiciary Square on the Red Line and Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver line.

 

More detailed service information and the timing of the closures are listed below.

Closures and other information are subject to change.

Service Information

Metrorail

Metrorail will operate from 5 a.m. until midnight on Inauguration Day. Last train times vary by station; please make sure to check the specific station pages.

Regular weekday service:

• Red Line trains arriving every 5-6 minutes
• Green and Yellow line trains arriving every 6 minutes
• Blue, Orange, and Silver Line trains arriving every 10-12 minutes
  

 

The following stations will close on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. and reopen on Jan. 21 at 5 a.m. Trains will bypass these stations.

• Archives
• Federal Triangle
• Mt. Vernon Square
• Pentagon (closed Jan. 20 only)

Gallery Place will be open for transfers between the Red, Yellow, and Green lines only. No entering or exiting the station on Jan. 19 and 20. Yellow Line customers traveling north of Mt. Vernon Square should transfer to the Green Line at Gallery Place. Green Line customers heading south towards Huntington should transfer to the Yellow line at Gallery Place or L’Enfant Plaza.

Some station entrances will be closed for select hours due to security for Inaugural events:

McPherson Square
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5 a.m.
Vermont Ave. & I St. NW entrance closed
14th and I St. NW entrance open

Judiciary Square
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. until Monday Jan. 20 at 5 a.m.
F Street/National Building Museum entrance closed
4th and D St. NW entrance open

Union Station
Monday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5 a.m.
Amtrak terminal entrance closed
Massachusetts Ave. entrance open and 1st St. NE entrance open

Smithsonian was previously announced as closed but will now be open. Farragut West and Metro Center previously had some station entrance closures, but all entrances will now be open.

Metrobus

On Inauguration Day, buses will operate on a Saturday Supplemental schedule. Check timetables for schedule information.

From Jan. 18-21, detours will be in effect in downtown D.C. due to the security perimeter and road closures. Customers traveling through downtown should allow additional travel time.

The following bus routes will be affected: 3F, 3Y, 7A, 10A, 11Y, 16A, 16C, 16E, 16Y, 22A, 38B, 31, 32, 33, 36, 42, 43, 52, 54, 59, 63, 64, 70, 74, 79, 80, 96, D4, D6, D8, G8, L2, N2, N4, N6, P6, S2, S9, X2, X8, and X9.

On Jan. 20, the Pentagon Transit Center will be closed. Buses will detour to Pentagon City.

MetroAccess

On Inauguration Day, subscription trips will be canceled.

Due to the number of road closures in downtown D.C., customers are advised to plan for delays. Service will not be available to customers in any secure/closed area.

Parking

Parking will cost $3-$5.20 on Inauguration Day depending on the location.

Trip Planning

While the large outdoor swearing-in ceremony is canceled, several indoor events are still planned. Metro is the best to get there with fast, efficient, and frequent service for these events.

Sunday and Monday events are planned at Capital One Arena. Attendees can take the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver lines to Metro Center. Exit and make the short walk to Capital One Arena for planned events on Sunday.

UPDATED -- For Monday's event, Secret Service announced a new security checkpoint entrance late Sunday night. The new security checkpoint to get into the arena is at 4th and H St. NW. Nearby stations include Judiciary Square on the Red Line and Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver line. In addition, there are several Inaugural Balls across the region.

Plan your trip at WMATA.com using our trip planner. You can also find real-time information on MetroPulse at WMATA.com/MetroPulse.

Tips for riding

• The easiest way to pay for Metro is by adding a mobile SmarTrip card to your phone’s wallet.
  
• Physical SmarTrip cards will be available at all stations. Commemorative cards are sold at select stations while supplies last. See list below.
• Everyone over the age of 5 needs a SmarTrip card to enter and exit stations.
• Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive up-to-the-minute service information via email or text.
• Certain end of line Metro stations will have additional portable toilets in addition to a restroom being open in most stations.
• Oversized coolers, bicycles/scooters, dollies/hand trucks and any other large objects will not be permitted in the rail system Monday, Jan. 20.
• Several items are prohibited in the Inauguration security zone. Do not bring any items from this list to the area.

Commemorative Inauguration SmarTrip cards

A limited number of commemorative Inauguration SmarTrip cards will be available at select marked fare machines in Metro Center Monday morning. Cards are sold out at every other station.

Customer Service

Metro’s customer service team will be available to assist customers with questions, trip planning, and more via chat, phone, or our social media channels. Visit our contact page for details.

Follow@wmata, @metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo on X or @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo, and @metrobusinfo on Bluesky.

Customers can call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780). Automated information is available 24/7.

For service alerts via text or email, sign up for MetroAlertsor visit MetroPulse for real-time service information.

Media Relations

Media can email MetroNews@wmata.com if you have additional questions.

For more Inauguration information, visit wmata.com/inauguration.