Metro increased service on three lines and eliminated higher fares during peak hours Monday.
The Orange Line now runs every 10 minutes, starting from 5 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends, and will run every 15 minutes after 9 p.m. all seven days a week, according to a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Friday release. The release states the new operating times are an improvement from the current 12-minute Orange Line train frequency on weekdays during peak hours and 15-minute wait time during off-peak hours.
The release also states that the Blue and Silver lines now run every 12 minutes seven days a week before 9:30 p.m., reducing the train wait times from the current 15-minute wait during off-peak hours on weekdays. Trains on the Blue and Silver lines will continue to run every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m., according to the release.
In addition to running more trains, Metro changed their fares, eliminating higher prices during peak hours and will now price based on distance traveled before 9:30 p.m. on weekdays. New fares vary between $2.00 and $6.00 and riders can use a tool called Trip Planner to calculate the cost of a trip, according to the WMATA website.
Metro will also return to a flat fare for all trips no matter the distance, even during peak hours, according to the release.
“Metro has adapted to post-pandemic travel patterns to provide safe, frequent and reliable service at all times of the day, all days of the week to serve all types of customers connecting our amazing region to all its possibilities,” WMATA said in the release.
Metro also launched a reduced fare program called Metro Lift last week, which discounts fares to half the price for Maryland, Virginia and D.C. residents enrolled in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Our program is designed to expand access, increase affordability and advance equity for people across the region,” the release states.