WMATA Increasing Train Frequency Starting February

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that beginning Feb.7, customers on the Blue, Blue + (Yellow Line replacement), and Orange lines will see trains every 12 minutes from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday.

Beginning Feb. 21, Red Line customers will see trains departing every eight minutes all day until 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, according to the agency's news release.

These changes improve the current 15-minute service on the Blue, Blue +, and Orange lines and expand more frequent trains for Red Line customers during the midday and evening.

The improvements are part of WMATA’s plan to increase service as more 7,000-series railcars become available.

In addition to frequency, all Orange Line trains will consist of eight cars to provide more capacity.

“Our newest railcars have continued to provide safe and reliable service, and we are excited to deliver them where our customers most need them,” said Randy Clarke, GM/CEO at WMATA. "By making trains more frequent and increasing capacity with more eight-car trains, we are reducing crowding and making service more convenient.”

Future improvements to rail frequency will be announced in the coming months, according to the agency.

The agency said it began working last summer to recover from a vacancy level of 1,900 people that was mostly frontline employees, down to its current level of 1,400 vacancies.

“Our veteran and growing workforce have demonstrated our deep commitment to safety as we work continuously to bring the Metrorail system back to full strength,” Clarke said. “I want everyone to know that Metro is hiring and that this team is doing amazing work to support the region as people return to workplaces, and we prepare for a busy tourism season.”