Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I find out the quickest route to my destination?
• Before I begin my trip, how can I found out if certain elevators or escalators are operating?
• How frequently are fares increased and why?
• How can I keep my farecard working?
• What should I do if my farecard does not work?
• What goes into deciding how frequently buses run on routes?
• Can I bring my bicycle on a Metrorail car?
• Can I bring my dog on Metrorail and Metrobus?
• Can I eat or smoke on Metrorail or a Metrobus?
• What is the jurisdiction of the Metro Transit Police Department?
• How safe is the Metro system compared to other U.S. transit systems?
• What should I do if I observe something unusual or suspicious, such as a suspicious package?
• What is a Code Red Day and how does it work?
• What is Metro doing to help regional air quality?
• Why does the rail car feel hot in the summer and cold in the winter?
• What is the schedule for future Metrorail expansion?
• I can't always get into a Metro parking lot early in the morning. How about adding more parking?
• What do I need to know to build near Metro property?

How do I find out the quickest route to my destination?

Metro offers a free, web-based service called the Trip Planner, which provides instant information that is accurate and up-to-the-minute. Visit our homepage and look for the Trip Planner on the left-hand side of the page. Type in where you're traveling from, where you're traveling to, and the time of day you plan to travel. The Trip Planner will offer the best route(s) to take to get there and include fare information and walking directions from a Metrorail station or bus stop to a given address.

Before I begin my trip, how can I find out if certain elevators or escalators are operating?

From time to time, customers will come across escalators or elevators that are not in operation. Most of those elevators or escalators are undergoing rehabilitation because they are nearing the end of their projected useful life. Others are being tested, checked or repaired. To find out if certain elevators or escalators are in service, visit the Elevator & Escalator Outage Report or call 202-962-1212.

How frequently are fares increased and why?

Revenue from passenger fares and other sources covers 55 percent of transit operating costs. The remainder comes from state and local governments and advertising. Metro has always sought to manage resources efficiently and to avoid fare increases. However, periodic fare increases are needed to offset higher costs for inflation in fuel, electricity, and health insurance. The last time fares were increased was in January 2008.

How can I keep my farecard working?

First, carry the card in a wallet, purse or elsewhere where it lies flat and remains clean and dry. Second, be careful to keep the farecard away from portable electronic devices, which can demagnetize farecards, making them unreadable. Demagnetizing of farecards is a growing problem now that most people carry one or more electronic devices, including cellphones, iPods, PDAs, and handheld games. All such devices can generate magnetic fields and many can demagnetize farecards. Finally, take care not to place a farecard in a purse or wallet so that its magnetic strip rubs against that of a credit card or debit card. This can also demagnetize a farecard.

What should I do if my farecard does not work?

See the station manager located in the kiosk. If the station manager can't correct the problem immediately, you'll be given a fare adjustment envelope to complete so that we can replace your farecard by mail.

What goes into deciding how frequently buses run on routes?

Each local government purchases service from Metro. The frequency of service is determined by the number of people riding and the amount of service the local government funds.

Can I bring my bicycle on a Metrorail car?

Bicycles are permitted on Metrorail (limited to two bicycles per car) weekdays except during peak hours from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Bicycles are permitted all day Saturday and Sunday as well as most federal holidays (limited to four bicycles per car). Bicycles are not permitted on Metrorail on July 4 and other special events or holidays when large crowds are expected to use the system. Anyone traveling with a bicycle should board the train through the end doors of a rail car and avoid the center doors.

Can I bring my dog on Metrorail and Metrobus?

The only animals that are permitted on Metrorail are service animals that assist people with disabilities. Pets are not permitted to ride Metrobus or Metrorail. However, a pet can be transported on Metrorail and Metrobus in a secure container as long as there is no possibility that the pet can get free.

Can I eat or smoke on Metrorail or a Metrobus?

It is unlawful to eat, drink or smoke in the Metro system because of the labor and cost associated with maintaining the cleanliness of the transportation system as well as for safety reasons. Customers can be cited by Metro Transit Police for violating the no eating, no drinking, and no smoking rules.

What is the jurisdiction of the Metro Transit Police Department?

The Metro Transit Police Department has an authorized strength of 420 sworn officers, 106 security special police and 24 civilian personnel. Officers provide a variety of law enforcement and public safety services on the Metrorail and Metrobus systems in the Washington metropolitan area. Metro Transit Police officers have jurisdiction and arrest powers throughout the 1,500 square mile transit zone that includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia for crimes that occur on or against Metro facilities. The Metro Transit Police Department is the only tri-jurisdictional police agency in the country and the agency serves a population of 3.2 million.

Metro Transit Police officers are trained to the standards set for police in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers patrol trains, buses, rail and bus stations, and parking lots. Radio dispatched scout cars respond to both rail and bus security issues. Metro also has a bicycle patrol, K-9 unit, motorcycle unit, and a Criminal Investigations Division.

How safe is the Metro system compared to other U.S. transit systems?

The Metro system has an excellent reputation for being a safe transit system. Metro Transit Police officers in uniform and in plain clothes routinely patrol Metrobuses, Metrorail trains, stations, and parking lots. Nevertheless, emergency response plans are in place for a variety of crisis scenarios. If riders ever see anything suspicious, they are encouraged to call Metro Transit Police, who have forged strong partnerships with local jurisdictional police, at 202-962-2121.

What should I do if I observe something unusual or suspicious, such as a suspicious package?

You should report any suspicious package or activity to a Metro employee or police officer. You should not go near an unattended item or handle it. On a train, you can use the emergency intercom at either end of the car to talk to the train operator. In a station, you can use the emergency intercom on platform pylons to talk to Metro personnel or call 911 on any pay phone. On a Metrobus, alert the bus operator. You can also call Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.

What is a Code Red Day and how does it work?

Code Red Days are designated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments when air quality is expected to be unhealthy in the Washington metropolitan area. When a Code Red Day is declared, free Metrobus fares are in effect on designated bus routes in Maryland and Virginia. Some of the routes operate between those two jurisdictions and the District of Columbia. Customers can identify Code Red buses by the Code Red bag placed over the bus farebox. If you see the bag, your ride is free. You also can find out in advance when Code Red days are in the forecast. The cost of Code Red free ride days in Virginia and Maryland is paid for by those jurisdictions.

What is Metro doing to help regional air quality?

Our entire 1,500 Metrobus fleet is eco-friendly: 439 buses run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), 117 buses run on advanced technology diesel, and 50 buses are diesel/electric hybrid. All remaining buses in the fleet have completed the Clean Fleet project, which includes the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel in conjunction with exhaust treatment devices to lower emissions.

Why does the rail car feel hot in the summer and cold in the winter?

Metro trains have cooling and heating equipment, but it may feel warmer or colder on a rail car when the train doors open and close at stations, allowing warm or cool air to escape. Air conditioning units or heaters aboard the rail cars also might be broken. Passengers are urged to note the car number and report the problem to 202-637-1328.

What is the schedule for future Metrorail expansion?

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is the sponsor of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which will extend Metrorail into the Dulles Corridor in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. The 23.5-mile transit system will serve as a link between Metro's existing 106-mile Metrorail system and Loudoun County and provide service through Tysons Corner to Washington Dulles International Airport. Any other Metrorail extensions beyond the Dulles Corridor are being discussed locally.

I can't always get into a Metro parking lot early in the morning. How about adding more parking?

Metro is one of the largest parking operators in the Washington region; but in some locations, demand for parking is greater than the available spaces. Several parking facilities have been expanded, and Metro is adding spaces at several other facilities. We recommend customers consider using bus service to stations where parking is limited. Parking on weekends and most federal holidays is free at Metro-owned facilities.

What do I need to know to build near Metro property?

Metro reviews designs and monitors construction of projects adjacent to Metrorail and Metrobus property, facilities, and operations, through its Office of Joint Development and Adjacent Construction. Please visit our Adjacent Construction Program page for complete information.