Photo by BrianMKA.

We might complain about all of the flaws of our transit system, and often for good reason. But I think we can all agree that the D.C. area is better for transit system rather than worse off. Today, Metro celebrates 35 years of running trains in the D.C. area – this day in 1976, 51,000 lined up for free rides on the first day of operation. Then, the Metro encompassed just 5 stops on the Red line, from Farragut North to Rhode Island Avenue (with a few stops still missing in between).

Today, the Metro has 86 stops across 5 lines, stretching out from D.C. into Maryland and Virginia. Greater Greater Washington has reposted its animated history of the Metro – sure is fascinating to look at how it has grown (especially for someone like me who grew up in a metro region with the oldest transit system in the country).

If you want to be nostalgic about the old days on the Metro, you can read through the history on WMATA’s site or check out a photo of people lined up to ride the brand new system in 1976. Have any memories of the transit system in its infancy? Please share them in the comments.