Metrorail Frequency To Be Increased With More 7000-Series Railcars

VIENNA, VA — Metro will increase train frequency on three lines during certain weekday commute times as more 7000-series railcars return.

On Feb. 7, Blue and Orange Line trains will improve from every 15 minutes to every 12 minutes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All Orange Line trains will have eight-car trains to boost capacity.

On Feb. 21, Red Line trains will improve from every 10 minutes to eight minutes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There are no changes to the Green and Silver Lines, which run every eight and 15 minutes, respectively. Yellow Line service is not running due to the Yellow Line bridge and tunnel work between the L'Enfant Plaza and Pentagon stations through May 2023.

Metro attributed the service boost to more 7000-series trains being put back in service.

"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, Metro's general manager and CEO. "By making trains more frequent and increasing capacity with more 8-car trains, we are reducing crowding and making service more convenient."

The 7000-series railcars were sidelined after a Blue Line train derailed between the Rosslyn and Arlington National Cemetery stations on Oct. 12, 2021 and a subsequent investigation revealed problems with the wheel axle assembly of Metro's 7000 series railcars. Metro has been working with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, which must approve the return of 7000-series railcars.

The service restorations also depend on staffing, with Metro hiring and training hundreds of train and bus operators each month to address staffing shortages. Last summer, Metro was faced with 1,900 vacancies. Now the vacancies stand at 1,400.

Metro plans to announce more improvements to train service in the coming months.

But while service increases are anticipated, riders should prepare for summer shutdowns for maintenance and infrastructure projects. In Northern Virginia, there will be a shutdown on the Orange and Silver Lines between Ballston and the Vienna (Orange Line) and McLean (Silver Line) stations from June 3 to June 26. Then, another shutdown will follow from June 27 to July 17 on the Orange Line between the West Falls Church and Vienna stations.

In DC and Maryland, single tracking will occur between the Stadium-Armory and Cheverly stations from May 12 to 22. From July 22 to Sept. 4 there will be a shutdown between Fort Totten and Greenbelt on the Green Line.

Metro will announce transportation alternatives for the shutdowns at a later time.