Everything You Need To Know About Labor Day Metro Travel*
*Because we know you're afraid to ask.
As we previously reported, WMATA will be closing five stations on the Red Line over the entire Labor Day weekend (that's between 10 p.m. tonight and 1 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7) for a large track replacement project. The work is part of the fulfillment of the suggestions made by the National Transportation Safety Board, and includes measures to help improve service during inclement weather conditions and the installation of fiber optic cable for improved cell phone access. It's one of the biggest maintenance projects in the history of Metrorail. So what does this mean for you?
Well, for starters, anyone taking Metro to anywhere near the affected stations should plan on adding a lot of time to their trip. (WMATA says to add 40 minutes, but, come on...you know that it'll take longer.) Metro's online Trip Planner will not reflect the delays caused by this work.
Trying to get home or into the city tonight? The last Red Line train that will service all five stations in the direction of Glenmont will depart Shady Grove at 8:58 p.m., Fort Totten at 9:47 p.m., Takoma at 9:50 p.m., Silver Spring at 9:53 p.m., Forest Glen at 9:56 p.m., Wheaton at 9:59 p.m. and arrive at the Glenmont Metrorail station at 10:01 p.m. The final train in the direction of Shady Grove will depart Glenmont Metrorail station at 9:35 p.m., Wheaton at 9:38 p.m., Forest Glen at 9:41 p.m., Silver Spring at 9:44 p.m., Takoma at 9:47 p.m., Fort Totten at 9:49 p.m., and arrive at the Shady Grove Metrorail station at 10:38 p.m.
Red Line trains between Shady Grove and Fort Totten on Saturday, Sunday and Monday will operate 6-8 minutes apart.
Shuttle buses will be operating all weekend to get people between Fort Totten and Glenmont. You can find the routes that each of these shuttles will run on at this webpage. The final shuttle buses of the night will be around 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. on Sunday and midnight on Monday heading southbound; and 3:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 12:35 a.m. on Sunday and 1:35 a.m. on Monday heading northbound. Those trying to get around the closures can also try hopping on Metrobus routes C8, C4, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, J2 and Ride On routes 10, 34 and 38 if the free shuttles aren't cutting it.
Metro employees will be on site at the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma and Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail stations to help customers get to where they need to go.
Now, of course, there's Labor Day itself, where several transit services will be operating on reduced schedules. Parking at all WMATA operated lots will be free and reduced fares are in effect for the entire day. Here's a breakdown of regional transit on Labor Day:
Additionally, the Metro system will remain open an additional hour to facilitate transportation for those who are attending the college football game at FedEx Field Monday night.