Metro adjusts service after Trump inauguration moved to Capital One Arena
WASHINGTON - Metro has adjusted its services and planned closures after the Inauguration Ceremony for President-elect Donald Trump was moved to Capital One Arena.
Trump's inauguration was moved indoors due to freezing temperatures Monday. The extreme temperatures, frigid winds, and icy conditions expected from a blast of arctic air and anticipated snow over the weekend prompted the move.
Temperatures are expected to be well below average when Trump takes the oath of office at 12 p.m. on Monday, January 20. The frigid arctic air is due to a polar vortex expected to send temperatures plummeting for millions across the U.S.
Here's how Metro has adjusted service.
Metrorail hours and service
Metrorail will open at 5 a.m., instead of the previously planned 4 a.m., and will run a normal weekday schedule, instead of increased service. The Yellow Line will not run to Greenbelt as previously planned.
Regular weekday service:
- Red Line trains arriving every 5-6 minutes
- Green and Yellow line trains arriving every 6 minutes
- Blue, Orange, and Silver Line trains arriving every 10-12 minutes
Please make sure to check the specific station pages.
Full station closures
The following stations will close on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. and reopen on Jan. 21 at 5 a.m. Trains will bypass these stations:
- Archives
- Federal Triangle
- Mt. Vernon Square
- Pentagon (closed Jan. 20 only)
Station entrance closures
Some station entrances will be closed for select hours due to security for Inaugural events:
McPherson Square
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5 a.m.
Vermont Ave. & I St. NW entrance closed
14th and I St. NW entrance open
Judiciary Square
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. until Monday Jan. 20 at 5 a.m.
F Street/National Building Museum entrance closed
4th and D St. NW entrance open
Union Station
Monday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5 a.m.
Amtrak terminal entrance closed
Massachusetts Ave. entrance open and 1st St. NE entrance open
Smithsonian was previously announced as closed but will now be open. Farragut West and Metro Center previously had some station entrance closures, but all entrances will now be open.
Gallery Place transfer only
Gallery Place will be open for transfers between the Red, Yellow, and Green lines only. No entering or exiting the station on Jan. 19 and 20.
Yellow Line customers traveling north of Mt. Vernon Square should transfer to the Green Line at Gallery Place.
Green Line customers heading south towards Huntington should transfer to the Yellow line at Gallery Place or L’Enfant Plaza.
Getting to Capital One Arena
Customers should take the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver line to Metro Center. Exit and make the short walk to Capital One Arena for planned events on Sunday and to the security checkpoint on 9th and G St. NW on Monday.
Metrobus
On Inauguration Day, buses will operate on a Saturday Supplemental schedule. Check timetables for schedule information.
From Jan. 18-21, detours will be in effect in downtown D.C. due to the security perimeter and road closures. Customers traveling through downtown should allow additional travel time.
The following bus routes will be affected: 3F, 3Y, 7A, 10A, 11Y, 16A, 16C, 16E, 16Y, 22A, 38B, 31, 32, 33, 36, 42, 43, 52, 54, 59, 63, 64, 70, 74, 79, 80, 96, D4, D6, D8, G8, L2, N2, N4, N6, P6, S2, S9, X2, X8, and X9.
On Jan. 20, the Pentagon Transit Center will be closed. Buses will detour to Pentagon City.
MetroAccess
On Inauguration Day, subscription trips will be canceled.
Due to the number of road closures in downtown D.C., customers are advised to plan for delays. Service will not be available to customers in any secure/closed area.
Trip Planning
While the large outdoor swearing-in ceremony is canceled, several indoor events are still planned. Metro is the best to get there with fast, efficient, and frequent service for these events.
Sunday and Monday events are planned at Capital One Arena. Attendees can take the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver lines to Metro Center. Exit and make the short walk to Capital One Arena for planned events on Sunday. On Monday, all attendees will need to go through the security checkpoint at 9th and G St. NW to access the arena.
In addition, there are several Inaugural Balls across the region.
Plan your trip at WMATA.com using our trip planner. You can also find real-time information on MetroPulse at WMATA.com/MetroPulse.
Parking
Parking will cost $3-$5.20 on Inauguration Day depending on the location.
Tips for riding
- The easiest way to pay for Metro is by adding a mobile SmarTrip card to your phone’s wallet.
- Physical SmarTrip cards will be available at all stations. Commemorative cards are sold at select stations while supplies last. See list below.
- Everyone over the age of 5 needs a SmarTrip card to enter and exit stations.
- Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive up-to-the-minute service information via email or text.
- Certain end of line Metro stations will have additional portable toilets in addition to a restroom being open in most stations.
- Oversized coolers, bicycles/scooters, dollies/hand trucks and any other large objects will not be permitted in the rail system Monday, Jan. 20.
- Several items are prohibited in the Inauguration security zone. Do not bring any items from this list to the area.
The Source: WMATA