As DC’s cherry blossoms reach peak bloom, Metro is operating more trains on weekends until mid-April to accommodate more visitors.
Throughout the period, which is expected to see high level ridership in the National Capital Region, no construction work will be scheduled on the platforms during the day.
“Cherry Blossom season is one of the biggest attractions of the year and Metrorail is stepping up service to better serve customers,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a release on March 14. “Metro is one of the best ways to get around, and with a $2 flat fare for any one-way trip on weekends it’s even more affordable.”
With additional train rides (every 10 minutes on the Red Line and 20 minutes on all other lines), Metrorail will be operating almost as intense as weekday service levels every weekend from Saturday, March 19 through Sunday, April 17. In Downtown DC, trains will arrive every 6-10 minutes.
Metro also announced that it is releasing a limited-edition SmarTrip card in honor of this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. The card, which features pink blossoms with a monarch butterfly, was designed by Lea Craigie-Marshall, the official artist of the festival.
Riders may obtain the commemorative cards from specially marked fare vending machines at Navy Yard and L’Enfant Plaza stations.
Metro will be represented on one of the floats at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and set up a booth at Petalpalooza, where guests can take photos and receive cherry blossom themed giveaways.
People visiting downtown DC to view the cherry blossoms can park their vehicles at all Metro parking garages and lots on weekends free of charge.
As part of its travel tips for the busy Cherry Blossom season, Metro advises riders to avoid traveling from 4 pm to 6 pm on weekdays, and to travel before 10 am and after 6 pm on weekends. For more details, click here.