Metro planning to close 17 stations, 9 additional entrances

Metro officials are planning to cut the number of open rail stations on Thursday, according to an agency press release. Nineteen stations (17 new) will be completely closed with trains bypassing, and ten other stations will have one entrance closed but still with service. The plans originally were set to go into effect on Wednesday, March 25, according to Metro Reasons sources, but were delayed a day.

Agency officials say they take this step "in the interest of ensuring the availability and safety of our employees," and targeted stations and entrances with low ridership.

Stations set to close on Thursday
  • Archives
  • Arlington Cemetery
  • Braddock Road
  • Cheverly
  • Clarendon
  • Cleveland Park
  • College Park
  • East Falls Church
  • Eisenhower
  • Federal Center SW
  • Federal Triangle
  • Greensboro
  • Grosvenor
  • Judiciary Square
  • McLean
  • Morgan Boulevard
  • Mount Vernon Square
  • Smithsonian
  • Van Dorn
  • Virginia Square
Entrances to close; stations remain open
  • Anacostia (north)
  • Farragut North (L/Connecticut)
  • Dupont Circle (19th Street)
  • Metro Center (12th/F)
  • King Street (north)
  • National Airport (north)
  • U Street (U/Vermont)
  • Gallery Place (9th/G)
  • L'Enfant Plaza (Constitution Center)
  • Friendship Heights (Jenifer Street)
Metro ridership statistics say rail travel on Sunday, March 22 totaled 23,000 trips, down 88% over the same day last year. Bus trips were down 72%. The total number of rail trips taken last week were down between 79 and 87% compared to 2019; bus trips were down between 50 and 65% over the same period.
Daily Metrobus and Metrorail ridership data during the COVID19 pandemic. Data from Metro.
Metro data say ridership on Saturday March 7th and Sunday March 8th, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was up 9% compared to the same time in 2019.
Metrorail ridership on Sunday, March 22 vs 2019

Metro separately announced that Metrobus would begin requiring passengers to board buses via the rear doors to increase the physical distance between passengers and the operator. The change, taking effect Tuesday, means also that the agency "is waiving fare payment for Metrobus customers." Riders utilizing wheelchairs will still be able to board via the front door.

(3/24: This post has been revised to note 19 stations, not 20, will be closed beginning Thursday March 26, not Wednesday March 25)

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