Metro Waives Fee For Events That End After Normal Closing Time

WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s board of directors approved a temporary policy change Thursday to waive a fee that Metro normally charges to organizers of events that end beyond the transit system's normal operating hours.

Metro said the decision expands a policy announced last month to “flex” rail service by 30 minutes for the region’s professional teams if a game ends after the normal closing time. The transit system reduced operating hours last year and now closes earlier than it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Metro is a part of the region’s economic recovery,” WMATA Board Chairman Paul Smedberg said Thursday in a statement. “Not only for our championship teams, but also for other major events and we want folks to know that Metro will be there when they want to ride.”

The temporary fee waiver and extended rail service will be provided through Dec. 31 when needed for the Mystics, Wizards, Nationals, Washington Football Team, Capitals, Marine Corps Marathon and Army Ten-Miler. Extended rail service will be provided to other special events without a fee upon request and approval by WMATA’s board of directors.

Event organizers are normally charged $100,000 for each additional hour of service to keep all 91 Metro stations open, run more trains, and other operational needs.

Metro adjusted rail service is currently operating at 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, closing at 11 p.m. seven days a week.

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