After completing necessary rail replacement on the Metro SubwayLink system, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will reopen service on the entire system on Friday, March 9, three days ahead of schedule. During the closure, Gov. Hogan committed $2.2 million to provide shuttle buses to maintain service for the Metro SubwayLink.
As a thank you to riders for their patience, passengers on Metro SubwayLink will ride free of charge from March 9 through March 11.
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“Safety will always be our first priority,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “The decision to reopen the Metro SubwayLink system came after a thorough inspection of our tracks to ensure their safety and reliability. We are pleased to restore service to our riders earlier than originally planned and appreciate their patience during this time.”
The reopening of the Metro SubwayLink system follows a thorough inspection of the rail work by MDOT MTA inspectors, Federal Transit Administration, and State Safety Oversight inspectors. Hands-on, physical track inspections were complemented by geometry car testing, an automated testing vehicle that provides an additional assessment of track conditions.
MDOT MTA is still scheduled to complete additional rail work in Summer 2018. The agency will make every effort to mitigate disruption for our riders of any further work required.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
