The Lauren, A Condominium Dupont Circle Neighborhood NEWS

Update: July 4 Metro Service

“Metro will provide extra rail service on Thursday, July 4, for the benefit of those attending holiday festivities on the National Mall and the Washington Nationals day game.
More than 500,000 passengers are expected to take Metro on Independence Day, with crowds primarily traveling to and from the 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall, as well as smaller events around the region. Metrorail service will operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, with near rush-hour service levels from 6 p.m. to midnight. There will be no scheduled track work anywhere on the system on the holiday.
To avoid crowds at transfer stations, riders are encouraged to travel to a station on the same line as their starting point. For example, passengers starting on the Red Line should consider traveling to a station on the Red Line, such as Judiciary Square or Union Station. In particular, riders on the Green and Yellow lines should consider walking from L’Enfant Plaza, rather than transferring to the Orange or Blue lines. After the event, walk back to the same station, on the same line as your origin.
In addition, Metro is encouraging riders to use stations other than Smithsonian or Federal Triangle, which often see the heaviest ridership for National Mall events. Smithsonian Station will be “entry-only” at the conclusion of the fireworks display.
The following is a list of suggested stations:
• Foggy Bottom for Orange or Blue line riders
• Metro Center for Red, Orange or Blue line riders
• Archives for Yellow or Green line riders
• Gallery Place for Red, Yellow or Green line riders
• Judiciary Square for Red Line riders
• Union Station for Red Line riders
• L’Enfant Plaza for Orange, Blue, Yellow or Green line riders
• Capitol South for Orange or Blue line riders
• Federal Center SW for Orange or Blue line riders
• Arlington Cemetery for Blue Line riders

Metrorail Service:
• Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Check your station information page for last train departure times.
• Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule for most of the day, ramping up to near rush-hour service levels in the evening hours. Trains will operate on a regular service pattern; Rush+ will not be in effect.
• Smithsonian Station will be open throughout the day, but “entry-only” following the fireworks.
• Metro will operate a combination of six and eight-car trains on all rail lines. Riders should check platform displays and spread out along the platform to use all available cars. An eight-car train will take up the entire length of the platform, and the last two cars are often the least crowded.
• Parking will be free at all Metrorail stations.
• Due to capacity constraints, bicycles and large coolers are not be permitted on Metrorail on July 4.

Fare Information
• To avoid potentially long lines at fare vending machines following the fireworks, all Metro riders are encouraged to purchase either a One-Day Pass ($14) or ensure that they have enough fare value on their SmarTrip card or paper farecard to complete their entire round trip. Each passenger must have his or her own fare card, SmarTrip card or One-Day Pass. By purchasing a One-Day Pass for $14, a rider can take unlimited trips on Metrorail throughout the day.
• To determine your fare, use Metro’s Trip Planner and use July 4 as your travel date. Remember to load your card with twice this amount for a round trip. If you use a paper fare card, you must add $1 to the fare of each trip you take.
• Off-peak fares will be in effect all day.
Important Travel Tips
• Travel light. Customers are discouraged from bringing large coolers or other bulky items aboard trains.
• The concert fills up so you probably want to come early–gates open as early as 3 p.m.–and bring a blanket or folding chairs and a picnic dinner.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water (no glass bottles or alcohol, though), because Washington, D.C. gets hot and sticky during the summer, and you don’t want to risk heat exhaustion.
• Avoid using Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations, if possible. Instead, consider using other stations within walking distance of the National Mall. After the fireworks, return to the same station.
• Plan your trip to avoid transferring between rail lines at Metro Center, Gallery Place or L’Enfant Plaza. All rail lines provide service within walking distance of the National Mall.
• As a reminder, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within Metrorail stations or aboard trains.
• If traveling with a stroller, use the elevator, not the escalators.
• Always stand back from the platform edge for your safety.
• Do not hold the train doors. They do not operate like elevator doors and will not automatically reopen.
• When boarding the train, step all the way into the car to make room for passengers boarding behind you.
• On Metrorail, it is customary for riders to stand to the right while using escalators.
Safety and Security
• There are no specific or credible threats to the Metro system or related to this event.
• Metro Transit Police will be visible throughout the system to ensure the customer safety and security.
• Passengers are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior, unusual activity or unattended items to any uniformed Metro employee or police officer, or by calling Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
• As a reminder, any bags or packages brought onto the Metrorail system may be subject to random, non-invasive explosives screening by Metro Transit Police.

Metro Bus Service
• On July 4, Metrobus will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• Due to street closures near the National Mall and at various locations throughout the region, riders can expect several bus routes to be detoured. For more information and updates on specific detours, sign up for MetroAlerts at wmata.com/metroalerts.
• Due to the many short-term bus detours, NextBus, Metro’s automated bus arrival information service may not be able to reflect changes in detoured July 4 bus service.

Metro-Access Service:
• MetroAccess will operate on a regular schedule on Thursday, July 4. However, all subscription trips will be cancelled. Metro-Access customers who wish to travel on July 4 will need to call MetroAccess reservations.
• To the extent allowable by road closures, MetroAccess will provide regular service after the fireworks. Customers planning to attend July 4th events on the National Mall and in the downtown area should expect traffic congestion and delays.

Customer Assistance:
• More than 80 Metro volunteers will provide additional information and assistance throughout the system.
• The Metro Information Call Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Lost & Found and customer relations will be closed.
For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, visit wmata.com.

Travel Information:
Security Checkpoints -
On the 4th of July all visitors must go through security checkpoints to enter the National Mall and areas along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Coolers, backpacks, packages and persons will be subject to inspection. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and the use of personal fireworks are prohibited.

A Capitol Fourth – 4th of July
West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC
Hours: On July 3 and 4, gates open at 3 p.m. The concert itself runs from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Admission: Free.Parking: Forget it.
Metrorail: Blue and Orange Line stops for Federal Center or Red Line stop for Judiciary Square. Be aware that the Smithsonian station closes on July 4.