For those planning on taking Metro to see the fireworks tonight, here’s what you need to know:
WHICH MODE: The transit system plans to bulk up rail service from 6 p.m. to midnight with near rush-hour frequency in sync with the fireworks that are slated to begin on the National Mall at 9:10 p.m.
Beginning at 3 p.m., every other Orange Line train traveling in the direction of New Carrollton will terminate at Stadium-Armory and return to Vienna-Fairfax/GMU. After 6 p.m., all Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center stations. No track work is scheduled for the day.
Bus service, though, is operating on a Saturday schedule with many detours around the Mall area. But don’t count on NextBus or the online Trip Planner to reflect the detours.
WHICH STATION: Metro is shutting down the Smithsonian station for most of the day, until after the fireworks finish for crowd control.
The agency advises riders heading to the fireworks show to avoid using Federal Triangle station to get to the Mall and to avoid transferring between lines.
Other station options include: Foggy Bottom-GWU, Metro Center, Archives Navy Mem’l-Penn Quarter, Gallery Pl-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Union Station, L’Enfant Plaza, Capitol South and Federal Center SW
PLAN TO WALK: In addition to walking from stations, plan to hike some stairs. Metro plans to shut off many escalators for safety reasons at downtown stations. For those who need an elevator, check for elevator outages before you go.
FARES: The agency is charging non-peak fares all day on the train system and parking is free.
Metro officials recommend that riders load enough money on their farecards to cover the return trip. A one-day rail pass costs $9, which covers unlimited train trips on one day, and may be a good deal for those who are traveling long distances on the system or planning to take multiple trips.
BIKES: Don’t bring them. They aren’t allowed on the system all day.
