Photo by Ted Eytan

Photo by Ted Eytan

Metro recorded 275,000 rail trips as of 11 a.m. this morning. The transit system says that’s eight times more trips than a normal Saturday in the District, “and even busier than most weekdays.”

That’s also 82,000 more trips counted by the same time than on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.

By 1 p.m. this afternoon, the number of rides ballooned to 470,000 trips, according to Metro spokesperson Dan Stessel.

Metro has been packed with jovial Women’s March attendees since it opened early this morning. It took some riders 15 minutes to get from the train to the station exits.

Although Metro opened two hours early and added around two dozen extra trains on to address the crowds, it hasn’t been enough.

Nearly three hours after the march’s rally began, trains began bypassing L’Enfant Plaza, which is the closest station to the march’s rally. Metro said it was due to overcrowding.

Mayor Muriel Bowser also tweeted that trains were at capacity and encouraged riders to be patient.

While service has returned to L’Enfant Plaza, Mayor Bowser reminds people that trains will be packed again once the march is over.

Metro suggested that people consider enjoying downtown D.C. for a bit after the march ends “to allow crowds to ease.”

Filed Under: inauguration, inauguration 2017, metro, trains, women's march,