Community Corner

Metro: Expect Crowded Stations, Trains on Wednesday Afternoon, Evening

A confluence of sporting events, the cherry blossom peak bloom and a rally on Capitol Hill will make for crowded stations and trains.

Metro advises customers to expect crowded stations and cars during the afternoon and evening rush hours as several large events overlap with Wednesday's rush hour.

A Metro advisory lists the following events that may impact travel Wednesday:

  • A major rally scheduled between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the US Capitol that is expected to draw 30,000 attendees.  Most participants will travel between Stadium-Armory and Capitol South, with additional ridership expected at Eastern Market and Federal Center SW stations.
  • A Nationals game starting at 7 p.m. will draw large crowds to Navy Yard Station, and will increase ridership at the downtown transfer stations (primarily L'Enfant Plaza and Gallery Place).
  • Cherry Blossom visitors traveling to/from the National Mall will continue to increase ridership at Smithsonian and L'Enfant Plaza station.
  • A 7 p.m. Wizards home game at Verizon Center will add ridership at Gallery Place.
  • See: Photos: Cherry Blossoms Reach Peak Bloom for 2013

The transit agency advises riders to make sure their SmarTrip cards or fare cards are purchased and loaded prior to rush hour to avoid lines.

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Metro will be operating additional eight-car trains in the afternoon to accommodate crowds attending the rally and will also run extra trains on the Green line to get fans to the Washington Nationals game.

Additionally, Metro suggests customers avoid the following stations, if possible:

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• Capitol South (consider Eastern Market or Federal Center SW as alternates)
• Stadium-Armory (consider Potomac Ave as alternate)
• L'Enfant Plaza (consider other transfer stations)
• Smithsonian (Cherry Blossom visitors should consider Arlington Cemetery or Federal Triangle)

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