The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced the launch of StationView, a new interactive feature that takes customers on a virtual tour inside Metrorail stations. The new tool is the first-of-its-kind for any rail system in the U.S. and provides riders with better accessibility to navigate the system.

StationView allows customers, using WMATA’s website or Google Maps, to virtually go from the street into the station. Take a ride down the escalator or elevator, go through the faregates and onto the mezzanine and platform just as if you were inside.

Currently available for six stations — Union Station, Judiciary Square, Gallery Place, Metro Center, Archives and L'Enfant Plaza — WMATA expects to complete all 91 stations by the end of the year.

"StationView is an example of how we are creating new, innovative ways to better serve our customers," said WMATA GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "This feature will make it easier for visitors, occasional riders, and people with special mobility needs, to plan their trip on Metro."

The new feature uses Google's Street View technology, providing visual landmarks to better familiarize customers with the entrance location. Customers with limited mobility can locate elevator entrances and see how to navigate between the upper and lower levels at transfer stations with multiple lines.

StationView is simple to use from any computer or mobile device and is available on WMATA's station information page at wmata.com/stations or via Google map's street view feature. Select the station and entrance you want to use to begin the virtual tour.