Say goodbye to late-night Metro trains on weekends.
D.C. Metrorail service will end every day at midnight starting June 3, Metro announced Friday. Trains currently run until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Ending all trains at midnight is part of Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld's SafeTrack plan to ensure the safety of the troubled system.
"By closing the system at midnight every night and expanding weekday maintenance opportunities, the SafeTrack plan addresses [Federal Transit Administration] and National Transportation Safety Board] safety recommendations, accelerates work to eliminate maintenance backlogs and restores Metro infrastructure to good health," Metro said in a statement.
The hours between midnight and 3 a.m. over the weekend are vital for D.C.'s thriving hospitality industry.
Greater Washington Board of Trade President Jim Dinegar said there's not an area in the region that's not touched and improved by Metro. Now, there's not one that will be unaffected, especially the hospitality industry. The Board of Trade and other business concerns, through the Council of Governments, will be getting together to come up with a plan.
"We've gotta have some flexibility," Dinegar said. "People have to help each other a little bit more on carpooling, bike shares, zip cars. All has to be on the table."
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In some cases, that means businesses subsidizing transportation. And it's not just a local as so many businesses worldwide look to the D.C. region for conventions and meetings.
The last night with a 3 a.m. closing time will be Saturday, May 28.
The last trains departing from stations each night vary slightly. Metro riders are encouraged to check the system's website to see when their train is set to leave.
