Metro is conducting a survey to examine existing late-night bus performance and look at the potential for 24-hour service in some areas.

“Although considerable resources are devoted to providing peak hour transit options tailored to weekday commuters, the demand for transit service outside of the traditional peak periods is growing,” Metro says on the study site. “Demographic shifts, emerging growth trends favoring 18-hour walkable activity centers in the regional (D.C., Arlington, Alexandria) core, and the needs of service sector and late shift workers are among the factors driving the needs for off-peak service.”

As most readers know, the rail system stops running at midnight on weekdays, while some bus lines run until 3 a.m.

The study will examine the performance of existing late night Metrobus service, connections among bus routes and between late night activity centers, the potential for 24 hour bus service, branding late night bus service, and will make recommendations for near term service improvements.

One more time: “The potential for 24-hour bus service.” Want to see it? The online survey is here.