Metro's Rail Service Gets A Boost During Peak Commuting Times

WASHINGTON, DC — DC's Metro system is increasing frequency during its peak weekday travel times to meet ridership demand.

The more frequent peak service starting Monday affects all lines except Orange Line between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. During these peak times, Red Line trains will run every 5 minutes, Green and Yellow Lines every 6 minutes, and Blue and Silver lines every 10 minutes. Orange Line trains are already running every 10 minutes and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.

"Metro is working hard to provide frequent, reliable service to help move our region and grow our economy," said Randy Clarke, Metro's general manager and CEO, in a statement. "This service increase is another win for our customers and a testament to Metro staff who have worked hard to restore safe, frequent service. We have great service levels available, and we hope that our region and customers use the system, and we see ridership continue to grow."

Before the peak service increase, Blue and Silver Lines were running every 12 minutes until 9:30 p.m., when frequency drops to every 15 minutes. Trains will remain running every 12 minutes outside peak hours and on weekends and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.

Metro's Green and Yellow Line peak service is up from 8 minutes. Red Line service has been running every 6 minutes all day until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays before the peak service increase. Red Line service remains every 8 minutes on weekends and every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m.

Ridership tends to be higher during the morning and evening commuting hours, according to Metro. Metro's latest ridership snapshot released in June showed ridership increased by 31 percent on weekdays and about 25 percent on weekends in June 2023 compared to June 2022. On average, daily ridership in June was 340,000 on weekdays, 249,000 on Saturdays and 181,000 on Sundays.

However, ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels. The average daily ridership of 277,929 riders in 2023 is the highest since the start of the pandemic but below the 505,903 daily ridership of 2019.