Metro Tips on How to Get Around During Pope's Visit: Watch

Metro has released two videos to help weekday commuters and visitors navigate the system during Pope Francis’ three-day visit to Washington, D.C. Tuesday, Sept. 22, through Thursday, Sept. 24.

The English and Spanish videos below offer travel tips, recommend alternate travel options to consider and detail where crowding and delays are expected near Papal events, as Metro plans to provide additional service to accommodate the near Inauguration ridership that is anticipated on Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24.

Here are specific details on Metrorail and Metrobus service information during the visit:

• Metrorail service information - station & service adjustments
• Metrobus planned detours - routes near Papal events and the parade route will be detoured or shortened
• Trip planner/Fare information - regular hours, fares and parking fees in effect
• Where to purchase SmarTrip around town - ensure that everyone riding Metro during the Papal visit has their SmarTrip card purchased and loaded with value in advance. SmarTrip vending machines available in rail stations

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015

• Hours: Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight.
• Fares: Normal weekday fare policies in effect.
• All Metrorail stations will be open; however, selected station entrances may be closed due to security needs.
• Regular rush hour train service during the AM and PM commute.
• Additional train service during midday and late evening hours. There will be no scheduled track work on any rail line, and trains will run at near rush-hour service levels during midday and late evening hours to provide additional capacity for riders. Riders should note that it is not possible to add trains or cars during rush hours, as every available car is already being used for service. As a result, the system is expected to be extremely crowded during the traditional rush hour periods.
• Metrobus will operate on a regular weekday schedule, including all DC public school trips. Riders shoul dexpect detours and delays on all routes serving Downtown DC.
• Brookland Station
• To support the expected 25,000 guests arriving for Mass at the Basilica on Wednesday afternoon, Brookland Station may be designated “exit only” prior to the event and “entry only” following the event (exact times TBD)
• Due to capacity issues at Brookland Station, riders may wish to consider using two adjacent stations: Rhode Island Avenue and Fort Totten. Rhode Island Avenue is about a 1 mile (20 minute) walk to Brookland; Fort Totten is about 2 miles (35 minutes) away. DC Circulator will offer limited bus service between the stations and the event (fare $1 each way).

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015

• Hours: Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight.
• Fares: Normal weekday fares in effect.
• Parking: Regular rates apply at all Metro-operated facilities.
• Stations: All Metrorail stations will be open; however, selected station entrances may be closed due to security needs.
• Regular rush hour train service during the AM and PM commute.
• Additional train service during midday hours. There will be no scheduled track work on any rail line, and trains will run at near rush-hour service levels during midday hours to provide additional capacity for riders.
• Metrobus will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Expect detours and delays on all routes that travel near the U.S. Capitol (morning event) and Gallery Place (afternoon event).
• MetroAccess will operate on a regular schedule with detours, delays and service adjustments as a result of papal events and associated road closures. To cancel a non-essential trip, call 301-562-5360 or visit wmata.com/metroaccess.

MARC Train, Bus Service Changes

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration will adjust MARC Train and Commuter Bus service on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and Thursday, Sept.24, to accommodate commuters and visitors during Pope Francis’ visit to D.C.

MARC Train

MTA will add capacity to select MARC trains on the Camden and Brunswick lines on Wednesday and Thursday to handle an expected increase in ridership during papal events. The trains, which typically carry between three and four passenger cars each, will include an extra car to accommodate 125 more riders. Also, Brunswick Line train #871 that normally operates only on Fridays will operate on both Wednesday and Thursday. For MARC Train information, click here.

Commuter Bus

Commuter Bus service will operate a modified morning and evenng schedule on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the expected traffic congestion by event visitors and significant road closures, MTA will provide service to five Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail Stations: Landover, Silver Spring, Branch Avenue, Suitland and Greenbelt. For the complete MTA Commuter Bus modified schedule, please click here.

For the latest information on MTA service, passengers may check the MTA website at www.mta.maryland.gov. Customers also can call MTA’s Transit Information Contact Center Monday throughFriday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 410-539-5000 or 410-539-3497(TTY). Please visit MTA’s Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland. MTA reminds passengers to report unattended bags and unusual behavior to police or transit personnel. If you see something, say something. Visit www.securetransit.org for more information.