Editing Washington Metro (section)

== System ==
<!--{{multiple image
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| header    = System maps
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| image1    = DC Metro Map 2013.svg
| width1    = 300
| alt1      = The published system map has every line drawn in its distinct color. All stations are marked and labeled by name. The map is drawn for clarity and simplicity, not to scale by actual distances and exact relative station locations. There are transfer stations marked where lines cross each other.
| caption1  = Stylized map of existing lines and stations, based on an official 2023 publicized map, including the Silver Line to Reston and later to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County, as well as Potomac Yard station.
| image2    = Washington DC Metro Map (To Scale).svg
| width2    = 300
| alt2      = An actual map with correct distances and geographic placement illustrates how all lines intersect, have many stations in the downtown area, and extend with more widely spaced stations far out into the neighboring areas.
| caption2  = Map of system drawn to scale. This map does not include the Silver Line or Potomac Yard station.}}-->
[[File:Washington DC Metro Map-2023 (To Scale).svg|thumb|upright=1.25|Actual map of the Washington Metro. Map of the network is drawn to scale.]]
Since opening in 1976, the Metro network has grown to include six lines, 98 stations, and {{convert|129|mi|km}} of route.<ref name="wmatafacts">{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/upload/Metro-Facts-2015.pdf |title=2015 Metro Facts |date=2015 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) |access-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021555/https://www.wmata.com/about/upload/Metro-Facts-2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The rail network is designed according to a [[spoke–hub distribution paradigm]], with rail lines running between downtown Washington and its nearby suburbs. The system extensively uses interlining: running more than one service on the same track. There are six operating lines.<ref name="wmatafacts" /> The system's official map was designed by noted graphic designer [[Lance Wyman]]<ref name="WaPo">{{cite news|first=Dana|last=Hedgpeth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/after-more-than-30-years-metro-map-is-being-redesigned-by-creator-lance-wyman/2011/05/31/AGeyD4IH_story.html|title=After more than 30 years, Metro map is being redesigned by creator Lance Wyman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044217/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/after-more-than-30-years-metro-map-is-being-redesigned-by-creator-lance-wyman/2011/05/31/AGeyD4IH_story.html |archive-date=December 9, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 4, 2011}}</ref> and Bill Cannan while they were partners in the design firm of Wyman & Cannan in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro |url=http://billcannandesign.com/metro.html |access-date=January 28, 2017 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309013805/http://www.billcannandesign.com/metro.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

About {{convert|50|mi|km}} of Metro's track is underground, as are 47 of the 98 stations. Track runs underground mostly within the District and high-density suburbs. Surface track accounts for about {{convert|46|mi|km}} of the total, and aerial track makes up {{convert|9|mi|km}}.<ref name="wmatafacts" /> The system operates on a [[track gauge]] of {{track gauge|4ft8.25in|lk=on}}, which is {{convert|1/4|in|mm}} narrower than {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}} but within the tolerance of [[standard-gauge railway]]s.<ref name="The Pocket List of Railroad Officials 1977 p. ">{{cite book | title=The Pocket List of Railroad Officials | publisher=National Railway Publication Company | issue=v. 83, no. 1 | year=1977 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-VkGAAAAMAAJ | page=645}}</ref>

Previously, the least time to travel through 97 stations using only mass transit was 8 hours 54 minutes, a record set by travel blogger Lucas Wall on November 16, 2022, the first full day that Phase 2 of the Silver Line was in passenger operation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/travel-blogger-sets-new-metro-speed-record-on-first-full-day-of-silver-line-service|title=Travel Blogger Sets New Metro Speed Record on First Full Day of Silver Line Service|newspaper=Fox 5 D.C.|date=November 17, 2012 |access-date=December 20, 2022 }}</ref> This record was broken by a student named Claire Aguayo, who did it in 8 hours and 36 minutes on January 23, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/new-metro-station-wmata-speed-run-record/65-30cefd4c-bccf-4763-af79-9d8c7b06aa34 |title=High school student sets new 'speed run' record for visiting all DC-area Metro stations|date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2023 }}</ref> Both of these runs were before the {{wmata|Potomac Yard}} station opened on May 19, 2023, making them no longer current.{{needs update|date=February 2025}}

To gain revenues, WMATA has started to allow retail ventures in Metro stations. WMATA has authorized DVD-rental vending machines and ticket booths for the Old Town Trolley Tours and is seeking additional retail tenants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4889 |title=Metro launches retail at Smithsonian Metrorail station |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=April 7, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016175301/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4889 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align:left;"
|+ style="margin:inherit; padding-bottom:0.25em"|'''Current Washington Metrorail Service Patterns'''
!rowspan=2 colspan="2" | Line Name
!rowspan=2| Service Introduced  
!rowspan=2| Stations
!colspan=2| Distance
!colspan=2| Termini
|-
!mi
!km
!Western/Southern
!Eastern/Northern
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}} [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line]]
| width="5" title="Red" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Red}}" |
| March 29, 1976
| 27
| {{convert|31.9|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Shady Grove}}
| {{wmata|Glenmont}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} [[Orange Line (Washington Metro)|Orange Line]]
| width="5" title="Orange" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Orange}}" |
| November 20, 1978
| 26
| {{convert|26.4|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Vienna}}
| {{wmata|New Carrollton}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} [[Blue Line (Washington Metro)|Blue Line]]
| width="5" title="Blue" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Blue}}" |
| July 1, 1977
| 28
| {{convert|30.3|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Franconia–Springfield}}
| {{wmata|Largo}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} [[Green Line (Washington Metro)|Green Line]]
| width="5" title="Green" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Green}}" |
| December 28, 1991
| 21
| {{convert|23.0|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Branch Avenue}}
| {{wmata|Greenbelt}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}} [[Yellow Line (Washington Metro)|Yellow Line]]
| width="5" title="Yellow" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Yellow}}" |
| March 30, 1983
| 13
| {{convert|10.7|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Huntington}}
| {{wmata|Mount Vernon Square}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}} [[Silver Line (Washington Metro)|Silver Line]]
| width="5" title="Silver" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Silver}}" |
| July 26, 2014
| 34
| {{convert|41.1|mi|km|disp=table}}
| {{wmata|Ashburn}}
| {{wmata|Largo}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align:left;"
|+ style="margin:inherit; padding-bottom:0.25em"|'''Former Washington Metrorail Service Patterns<ref>Only regularly scheduled service patterns that were active for more than a year are included.</ref>'''
!rowspan=2 colspan="2" | Line Name
!rowspan=2| Service Introduced  
!rowspan=2| Service Discontinued
!rowspan=2| Stations
!colspan=2| Termini
!rowspan=2| Notes
|-
!Western/Southern
!Eastern/Northern
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}} [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line Turnback]]
| width="5" title="Red" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Red}}" |
| December 15, 1984
| December 16, 2018
| 20
| {{wmata|Grosvenor}}
| {{wmata|Silver Spring}}
| Grosvenor Turnback ended in December 2018, Silver Spring Turnback ended in July 2019
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} [[Green Line (Washington Metro)|Upper Green Line]]
| width="5" title="Green" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Green}}" |
| December 19, 1993
| September 17, 1999
| 5
| {{wmata|Fort Totten}}
| {{wmata|Greenbelt}}
| Only operated during off-peak hours and weekends starting on January 27, 1997. Discontinued at the opening of the Green Line segment between Fort Totten and U Street in 1999. 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} [[Green Line (Washington Metro)|Green Line Commuter Shortcut]]
| width="5" title="Green" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Green}}" |
| January 27, 1997
| September 17, 1999
| 11
| {{wmata|Farragut North}}
| {{wmata|Greenbelt}}
| Only operated during peak hours. Discontinued at the opening of the Green Line segment between Fort Totten and U Street in 1999. 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}} [[Yellow Line (Washington Metro)|Yellow Line Off-Peak]]
| width="5" title="Yellow" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Yellow}}" |
| April 20, 2006
| May 24, 2019
| 17
| {{wmata|Huntington}}
| {{wmata|Fort Totten}}
| Only operated during off-peak hours and weekends. 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}} [[Yellow Line (Washington Metro)|Yellow Line Rush+]]
| width="5" title="Yellow" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Yellow}}" |
| June 18, 2012
| June 24, 2017
| 21
| {{wmata|Franconia-Springfield}}
| {{wmata|Greenbelt}}
| Only operated during peak hours. 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} [[Orange Line (Washington Metro)|Orange Line Rush+]]
| width="5" title="Orange" style="background-color:#{{rcr|WMATA|Orange}}" |
| June 18, 2012
| July 25, 2014
| 26
| {{wmata|Vienna}}
| [[Downtown Largo station|Largo]]
| Only operated during peak hours. Discontinued at the introduction of Silver Line service in 2014.
|}

=== Financing ===
Metro relies extensively on passenger fares and appropriated financing from the [[Government of Maryland|Maryland]], [[Government of Virginia|Virginia]], and [[Government of the District of Columbia|Washington D.C., governments]], which are represented on Metro's board of directors. In 2018, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., agreed to contribute $500&nbsp;million annually to Metro's capital budget.<ref name="dedicated funding" /> Until then, the system did not have a dedicated revenue stream as other cities' mass transit systems do. Critics allege that this has contributed to Metro's recent history of maintenance and safety problems.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mullins|first=Luke|url=http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/transportation/why-does-metro-suck-dangerous-accidents-escalator-outages.php|title=The Infuriating History of How Metro Got So Bad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105111048/http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/transportation/why-does-metro-suck-dangerous-accidents-escalator-outages.php |archive-date=January 5, 2016|newspaper=[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]]|date=December 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="crisis despite warnings" />

For Fiscal Year 2019, the estimated [[farebox recovery ratio]] (fare revenue divided by operating expenses) was 62 percent, based on the WMATA-approved budget.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/records/public_docs/upload/FY2019-Approved-BudgetFinal.pdf |title=FY2019 Approved Budget Effective July 1, 2018 |quote=Percentage calculated from figures in pages 12 and 41 . $635.4 mil./$1022.9 mil = 62%. |access-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035833/https://www.wmata.com/about/records/public_docs/upload/FY2019-Approved-BudgetFinal.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===

==== Stations ====
{{Main|List of Washington Metro stations}}
[[File:Dulles Airport Station Platform 1115.jpg|thumb|The platform at [[Dulles International Airport station|Dulles International Airport]]]]
[[File:WMATA Alstom 6000 series on the Yellow Line arriving in King St Old Town Station.jpg|thumb|The platform of {{wmata|King Street–Old Town}}]]
[[File:Entrance to L'Enfant Plaza station -02- (50066962107).png|thumb|Station entrances are marked by distinctive vertical pylons, which feature the colors of each line serving the station]]
There are 40 stations in the District of Columbia, 15 in Prince George's County, 13 in Fairfax County, 11 in Montgomery County, 11 in Arlington County, 5 in the City of Alexandria, and 3 in Loudoun County.<ref name="wmatafacts" /> The most recent station was opened on May 19, 2023, an infill station at {{wmata|Potomac Yard}}.<ref name="pyopen"/> At {{convert|196|ft|m}} below the surface, the {{wmata|Forest Glen}} station on the Red Line is the deepest in the system. There are no escalators; high-speed elevators take 20 seconds to travel from the street to the station platform. The {{wmata|Wheaton}} station, one stop to the north of the Forest Glen station, has the longest continuous escalator in the US and in the [[Western Hemisphere]], at {{convert|230|ft|m}}.<ref name="wmatafacts" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/us/02escalators.html |title=For Washington, a Trek to Daylight |newspaper=New York Times |date=July 1, 2011 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |last=Walsk |first=Sean Collins}}</ref> The {{wmata|Rosslyn}} station is the deepest station on the Orange/Blue/Silver Line, at {{convert|117|ft|m}} below street level. The station features the second-longest continuous escalator in the Metro system at {{convert|194|ft|m}}; an escalator ride between the street and mezzanine levels takes nearly two minutes.<ref>{{cite journal |date=Summer 2006 |title=Discover A New Horizon |journal=Rosslyn Magazine |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=21}}</ref>

The system is not centered on any single station, but {{wmata|Metro Center}} is at the intersection of the Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines.<ref name="2008guide">{{cite web|url=http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/media_guide_2008.pdf |title=Media Guide 2008 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-date=March 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325134630/http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/media_guide_2008.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The station is also the location of WMATA's main sales office, which closed in 2022. Metro has designated five other "core stations" that have high passenger volume, including:<ref name="corestations">{{cite web|url=http://www.wmata.com/pdfs/planning/Demand_Passenger%20Facilities.pdf |title=Core Stations Capacity Enhancements |date=October 21, 2008 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310092644/http://www.wmata.com/pdfs/planning/Demand_Passenger%20Facilities.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{wmata|Gallery Place}}, transfer station for the Red, Green, and Yellow Lines; {{wmata|L'Enfant Plaza}}, transfer station for the Orange, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow Lines; {{wmata|Union Station}}, the busiest station by passenger boardings;<ref name=2008guide /> {{wmata|Farragut North}}; and {{wmata|Farragut West}}.

To deal with the high number of passengers in transfer stations, Metro is studying the possibility of building pedestrian connections between nearby core transfer stations. For example, a {{convert|750|ft|m|adj=on}} passage between Metro Center and Gallery Place stations would allow passengers to transfer between the Orange/Blue/Silver and Yellow/Green Lines without going to one stop on the Red Line or taking a slight detour via L’Enfant Plaza. Another tunnel between Farragut West and Farragut North stations would allow transfers between the Red and Orange/Blue/Silver lines, decreasing transfer demand at Metro Center by an estimated 11%.<ref name=corestations /> The Farragut pedestrian tunnel has yet to be physically implemented, but was added in virtual form effective October 28, 2011: the SmarTrip system now interprets an exit from one Farragut station and entrance to the other as part of a single trip, allowing cardholders to transfer on foot without having to pay a second full fare.<ref name="farragut crossing launch">{{Cite press release |title=Metro launches Farragut Crossing |date=October 28, 2011 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5074 |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021647/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5074 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Around 2003, the network designed newer stations with redundant or backup elevators, in case one elevator goes out of service. These designs were implemented with the three stations that opened in 2004, five in 2014, six in 2022, and one in 2023.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align:left;"
|+ '''Busiest stations by total annual passenger entries (2023)'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrorail Ridership Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/ridership-portal/Metrorail-Ridership-Summary.cfm |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! Rank
! Station
! Entries
! Line(s)
|-
| 1
| {{wmata|Metro Center}}
| 3,929,940
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 2
| {{wmata|Foggy Bottom–GWU}}
| 3,742,176
| {{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 3
| {{wmata|Union Station}}
| 3,651,760
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 4
| {{wmata|Gallery Place}}
| 3,536,641
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 5
| {{wmata|Dupont Circle}}
| 2,985,099
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 6
| {{wmata|Farragut North}}
| 2,779,479
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 7
| {{wmata|L'Enfant Plaza}}
| 2,739,674
| {{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 8
| {{wmata|Farragut West}}
| 2,616,830
| {{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 9
| {{wmata|NoMa–Gallaudet U}}
| 2,406,409
| {{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|-
| 10
| {{wmata|Navy Yard–Ballpark}}
| 2,310,236
| {{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}}
|- 
|}

==== Rolling stock ====
{{Main|Washington Metro rolling stock}}
Metro's fleet consists of 1,216 rail cars, each {{convert|75|ft|m|2}} long, with 1,208 in active revenue service as of May 2024. Though operating rules currently limit trains to {{cvt|59|mph}} (except on the Green line, where they can go up to {{cvt|65|mph}}),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/business/procurement/solicitations/documents/Volume%205_2%20-%20WMATA%20Safety%20and%20Security%20Plans%20and%20Documents.pdf |title=Metrorail Safety Rules and Procedures Handbook |website=WMATA |page=100 |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520192659/https://www.wmata.com/business/procurement/solicitations/documents/Volume%205_2%20-%20WMATA%20Safety%20and%20Security%20Plans%20and%20Documents.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> all trains have a maximum speed of {{cvt|75|mph}}, and average {{convert|33|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, including stops.<ref name=wmatafacts /> All cars operate as [[Twin unit|married pairs]] (consecutively numbered even-odd with a cab at each end of the pair except 7000-series railcars), with systems shared across the pair.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/media-relations/glossary.cfm#m-r |title=Glossary & Acronyms |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205013417/https://www.wmata.com/about/media-relations/glossary.cfm#m-r |url-status=live }}</ref>

''In the "Active railcars" table, font in bold represents the railcars that are currently in service, while the regular font represents cars that are temporarily out of service''

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="10" style="color:white;background:green" | Active railcars
|-
! Series || Manufacturer || Number purchased<ref name="fy20 proposed budget" /> || Entered service || Retired (estimated)
! Currently owned<ref name="fy20 proposed budget" /> || Currently active<ref name="fy20 proposed budget">{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/records/public_docs/upload/FY20-Proposed-Budget-FINAL-to-WEB-121318_b.pdf |title=FY20 Proposed Budget |date=December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124306/https://www.wmata.com/about/records/public_docs/upload/FY20-Proposed-Budget-FINAL-to-WEB-121318_b.pdf |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |publisher=[[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> || Planned replacement
|-
|-
| '''[[Washington Metro rolling stock#3000-series|3000]]'''
|'''Breda'''|| 290 || 1987 || 2027–2029
| 284 || 280
|8000-series
|-
| '''[[Washington Metro rolling stock#6000-series|6000]]'''|| '''Alstom'''|| 184 || 2006 ||
| 184 || 180<br />(additional 2 for "[[money train]]") ||
|-
| '''[[Washington Metro rolling stock#7000-series|7000]]''' || '''Kawasaki''' || 748 || 2015 ||
|748
| 748 ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="10" style="color:white; background:red" | Retired railcars
|-
! Series || Manufacturer || Number purchased<ref name="fy20 proposed budget" /> || Entered service || Retired || Currently owned<ref name="fy20 proposed budget" /> || Replacement
|-
|-
| [[Washington Metro rolling stock#1000-series|1000]] || Rohr || 300 || 1976 || 2016–2017
| 2 preserved<ref name="twitter 1000">{{Cite tweet |number=923977269793652737 |user=wmata |title=Milestone: As of today, all 1000-series passenger cars (except #1000-1001 which are being preserved) have been sent to scrap yard. |author=WMATA |date=October 27, 2017 |access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref>|| 7000-series
|-
|[[Washington Metro rolling stock#2000-series|2000]]
| rowspan="2" |Breda
|76
|1982
|2024
|2 preserved
|8000-series
|-
| [[Washington Metro rolling stock#4000-series|4000]] || 100 || 1991 || 2017<ref name="nbc 2018">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Out-With-the-Old_-Metro-Retires-4000-Series-Rail-Cars_Washington-DC-473936643.html |title=Say Goodbye: Metro Retires Its Most Unreliable Trains |last=Tuss |first=Adam |date=February 13, 2018 |work=NBC4 Washington |access-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref>
| 2 preserved<ref name="loudoun 4000">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=39 |title=Loudoun Metrorail Training Simulator Opens |date=June 28, 2017 |publisher=Loudoun County Government |access-date=July 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810014600/https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3954 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="retire July 2017" /> || 7000-series
|-
| [[Washington Metro rolling stock#5000-series|5000]] || CAF / AAI || 192 || 2001 || 2018–2019<ref name="EOL">{{cite tweet |number=1050739829301014528 |user=wmata |title=END OF THE LINE: Today is the last day you'll ride a 5000-series railcar! |author=WMATA |date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref> || 2 preserved || 7000-series
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="10" style="color:white;background:orange" | Future railcars
|-
! Series || Manufacturer || Number purchased<ref name="fy20 proposed budget" /> || Entered service (estimated)
|-
|-
| [[Washington Metro rolling stock#8000-series|8000]] || Hitachi<ref name="8000 Series">{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Justin |title=Metro selects Hitachi Rail to build its next-generation rail car |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/10/06/metro-8000-series-rail-car/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> || 256–800<ref name=procurement>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/8000-series-railcar-procurement.cfm |title=Metro begins 8000-series railcar procurement |date=September 4, 2018 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> (proposed) || 2027<ref name=procurement />
|}
[[File:Rohr train.jpg|thumb|right|alt=An exterior perspective view of a train, with its distinct brown and metallic design, at a station platform.|A train of Rohr cars arriving at {{wmata|Cheverly}} (2005)]]
[[File:Metro 7000-Series railcar debut 3.jpg|thumb|The 7000 series trains, manufactured by Kawasaki, were introduced in 2015&nbsp;– the first generation of rolling stock to have a major change in design, as the 1000–6000 series trains all had a very similar look and feel.]]
[[File:Metro 7000-Series railcar debut 5.jpg|thumb|The interior of the 7000 series trains uses a mix of transverse and longitudinal seating.]]
[[File:WMATA Rohr 1028 with locomotive.jpg|thumb|Originally built for passenger service, this railcar was later converted to a [[clearance car]] with "feelers".]]
Metro's rolling stock was acquired in seven phases, and each version of car is identified with a separate series number.

The original order of 300 railcars (all of which have been retired as of July 1, 2017)<ref name="retire July 2017">{{Cite press release|title=Metro to retire all 1000- and 4000-series railcars by July 1, months ahead of schedule|date=June 7, 2017|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/1000-4000-series-railcars-retired-July1.cfm|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804013358/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/1000-4000-series-railcars-retired-July1.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref> was manufactured by [[Rohr Industries]], with final delivery in 1978.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget">{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/FY19-Proposed-Budget.pdf |title=FY19 Proposed Budget |date=November 2017 |publisher=[[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217082929/https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/FY19-Proposed-Budget.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> These cars are numbered 1000–1299 and were rehabilitated in the mid-1990s.

[[Hitachi Rail Italy|Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie]] (Breda), manufactured the second order of 76 cars delivered in 1983 and 1984.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget" /> These cars, numbered 2000–2075, were rehabilitated in the early 2000s by [[Alstom]] in [[Hornell, New York]].<ref name=IRJDec03>Transit Briefs ''[[International Railway Journal ]]'' December 2003 page 9</ref> All 2000-series cars were retired by May 10, 2024.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goodbye, carpet on Metro. Oldest trains in system to be removed|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/goodbye-carpet-on-metro-oldest-trains-to-be-removed/3612724/|date=2024-05-09|access-date=2024-09-06|first=Lilly|last=Roser|work=NBC4 Washington}}</ref>

A third order of 290 cars, also from Breda, were delivered between 1984 and 1988.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget" /> These cars are numbered 3000–3289 and were rehabilitated by Alstom in the mid-2000s.<ref name=IRJDec03/>

A fourth order of 100 cars from Breda, numbered 4000–4099, were delivered between 1991 and 1994.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget" /> All 4000-series cars were retired by July 1, 2017.<ref name="nbc 2018" />

A fifth order of 192 cars was manufactured by [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles]] (CAF) of Spain. These cars are numbered 5000–5191 and were delivered from 2001 through 2004.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget" /> Most 5000-series cars were retired in October 2018 and the last few in spring 2019.<ref name="EOL" />

A sixth order of 184 cars from Alstom Transportation, are numbered 6000–6183 and were delivered between 2005 and 2007.<ref name="fy19 proposed budget" /> The cars have body shells built in [[Barcelona]], Spain with assembly completed in Hornell, New York.<ref name="currentcars">{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/020807_4a.pdf |title=Railcars Semi-Annual Update |date=February 8, 2007 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205013453/https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/020807_4a.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 7000-series railcars, built by [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company]] of Kobe, Japan, were delivered for on-site testing during winter 2013–2014, and first entered service on April 14, 2015, on the Blue Line. The cars are different from previous models in that while still operating as married pairs, the cab in one car is eliminated, turning it into a B car. This design allows for increased passenger capacity, elimination of redundant equipment, greater energy efficiency, and lower maintenance costs. The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] investigation of the fatal June 22, 2009, accident led it to conclude that the 1000-series cars are unsafe and unable to protect passengers in a crash. As a result, on July 26, 2010, Metro voted to purchase 300 7000-series cars, which replaced the remaining 1000-series cars.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Line crash was inevitable, NTSB finds |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Ann |last=Scott Tyson |page=A1 |date=July 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1917616 |work=WTOP |title=Metro's oldest rail cars will be rolling out of service |date=March 22, 2010 |first=Adam |last=Tuss |access-date=July 28, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> An additional 128 7000-series cars were also ordered to serve the Silver Line to Dulles Airport (64 for each phase). In April 2013, Metro placed another order for 100 7000-series cars, which replaced all of the 4000-series cars.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/washington-orders-more-kawasaki-metro-cars/archiv/2013/mai.html |title=Washington orders more Kawasaki metro cars |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]] |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822021734/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/washington-orders-more-kawasaki-metro-cars/archiv/2013/mai.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 13, 2015, WMATA used their final option and purchased an additional 220 7000-series railcars for fleet expansion and to replace the 5000-series railcars, bringing the total order number to 748 railcars. On February 26, 2020, WMATA accepted the delivery of the final 7000-series car.<ref name="The final car of the Metro 7000 ser">{{cite tweet |user=tomrousseyABC7 |number=1232715666068770816 |date= February 26, 2020 |title= The final car of the Metro 7000 series, 7747, was just revealed. Metro ordered a total of 748 cars in the 7000 series, the number is 47 because they started with train 7000. }}</ref>

The 8000-series cars will be constructed by Hitachi Rail.<ref name="performance vehicles">{{cite web |date=October 21, 2008 |title=2000/3000 Series Rail Car Replacement |url=http://www.wmata.com/pdfs/planning/Performance_Vehicles.pdf |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |page=2 |access-date=February 15, 2014 |quote=Replace all 366 of the 2000 and the 3000 Series rail cars with new 8000 Series rail cars.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212214828/http://www.wmata.com/pdfs/planning/Performance_Vehicles.pdf|archive-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="railwayage.com">{{cite web |title=WMATA Selects Hitachi Rail for 8000-Series Cars |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/rapid-transit/wmata-selects-hitachi-rail-for-8000-series-cars/?RAchannel=news |website=[[Railway Age]] |access-date=October 7, 2020 |date=October 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010215916/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/rapid-transit/wmata-selects-hitachi-rail-for-8000-series-cars/?RAchannel=news |url-status=live}}</ref> While these railcars would have a similar appearance to the 7000-series, the 8000-series would include more features such as "smart doors" that detect obstruction, high-definition security cameras, more space between seats, wider aisles, and non-slip flooring.<ref name="railwayage.com" /> In September 2018, Metro issued a request for proposals from manufacturers for 256 railcars with options for a total of up to 800.<ref name="8000 rfp" /> The first order would replace the 2000 and 3000-series equipment, while the options, if selected, would allow the agency to increase capacity and retire the 6000-series.<ref name="8000 rfp">{{cite web |url=https://www.metro-report.com/news/metro/single-view/view/washington-metro-starts-next-fleet-renewal.html |title=Washington Metro starts next fleet renewal |publisher=[[Metro Report International]] |date=September 6, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915231030/https://www.metro-report.com/news/metro/single-view/view/washington-metro-starts-next-fleet-renewal.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Signaling and operation ====
{{Main|Washington Metro signaling and operation}}
During normal passenger operation on revenue tracks, trains are designed to be controlled by an integrated [[Automatic train operation|Automatic Train Operation]] (ATO) and [[Automatic train control|Automatic Train Control]] (ATC) system that accelerates and brakes trains automatically without operator intervention. All trains are still staffed with train operators who open and close the doors, make station announcements, and supervise their trains. The system was designed so that an operator could manually operate a train when necessary.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/033105_Rev3033005PrecisionStopping.pdf |title=Precision Station Stopping Progress Update |date=March 21, 2005 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101157/https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/033105_Rev3033005PrecisionStopping.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since June 2009, when [[June 2009 Washington Metro train collision|two Red Line trains collided]] and killed nine people due in part to malfunctions in the ATC system, all Metro trains have been manually operated.<ref name="Manual">{{cite news |last=Hohmann |first=James |title=After Fatal Crash, Metro Still Wary Of Letting Computers Control Trains |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081802446.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 19, 2009 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813112745/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081802446.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The current state of manual operation has led to heavily degraded service, with new manual requirements such as absolute blocks, speed restrictions, and end-of-platform stopping leading to increased headways between trains, increased dwell time, and worse on-time performance.<ref>Customer Services, Operations, and Safety Committee, "[https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/031120_4BManualvsATO2.pdf Manual vs. Automatic Operation and Operational Restrictions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205101135/https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/031120_4BManualvsATO2.pdf |date=February 5, 2017 }}," Information Item IV-B, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board, March 11, 2010.</ref> Metro originally planned to have all trains be automated again by 2017,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/computer-driven-trains-returning-to-metros-red-line-five-years-after-deadly-rail-crash/2014/09/20/68790a32-3e04-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html |title=Computer-driven trains returning to Metro's Red Line five years after deadly rail crash |date=September 20, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926025751/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/computer-driven-trains-returning-to-metros-red-line-five-years-after-deadly-rail-crash/2014/09/20/68790a32-3e04-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but those plans were shelved in early 2017 in order to focus on more pressing safety and infrastructure issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wamu.org/story/17/04/06/metro-shelves-plans-bring-back-automated-trains/|title=Metro Shelves Plans To Bring Back Automated Trains|date=April 6, 2017|publisher=WAMU|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> In March 2023, Metro announced plans to re-automate the system by December of that year,<ref>{{Cite news |last=George |first=Justin |date=March 6, 2023 |title=Metro will return to automatic train system for first time in 14 years |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/03/06/metro-ato-train-system-transit/ |access-date=March 6, 2023}}</ref> but announced in September that these plans would be delayed until 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=George |first=Justin |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Metro delays full switch to automated trains until next year |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/09/14/metro-ato-train-operations/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 }}</ref> ATO resumed only on the Red Line on December 15, 2024, and the highest speed is now 75mph, with ATO scheduled to resume on the rest of the system in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=WMATA {{!}} Metro to begin Automatic Train Operation for the first time in 15 years |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-to-begin-Automatic-Train-Operation-for-the-first-time-in-15-years.cfm |website=WMATA |access-date=16 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Golden |first1=Lianna |title=Day one of Automated Train Operations a success, according to WMATA and Red Line riders |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/red-line-metro-automated-train-operations-ato-wmata-riders-washington-dc-glenmont-shady-grove-national-transportation-safety-board-ntsb-fort-totten-june-22-2009-train-crash-faulty-track-circuit |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=WJLA |date=15 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=David |title=Metro resumes automatic train operations on Red Line after 15 years |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/metro-resumes-automatic-train-operations-red-line-after-15-years |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=FOX 5 DC |date=15 December 2024}}</ref>

The train doors were originally designed to be opened and closed automatically and the doors would re-open if an object blocked them, much as elevator doors do. Almost immediately after the system opened in 1976 Metro realized these features were not conducive to safe or efficient operation and they were disabled. Metro began testing reinstating automatic train door opening in March 2019, citing delays and potential human error.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Release-Automatic-Door-Testing.cfm|title=Metro begins testing automatic door operations on passenger trains|date=March 4, 2019|website=WMATA|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510163734/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Release-Automatic-Door-Testing.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref> If a door tries to close and it meets an obstruction, the operator must re-open the door. In October 2023, automatic train door opening, where train doors will automatically open upon alighting, was restored to a limited number of trains on the Red Line. Operators must manually close the doors after they open. WMATA claims that automatic door opening provides a safety benefit since it eliminates potential human error resulting in the doors opening on the wrong side and a reduction in the wait time before doors opening, improving the customer experience and station dwell times.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Doors opening... faster! Metro preparing for Auto Doors |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/ADO-operator-certification.cfm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018123155/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/ADO-operator-certification.cfm |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority}}</ref>

=== Hours and headways ===
[[File:Yellow Line Train Crossing Fenwick Bridge.jpg|thumb|A Yellow Line train crossing the [[Potomac River]] in December 2014]]
Metrorail begins service at 5 am Monday through Friday, 7 am on Saturdays and Sundays; it ends service at midnight Monday through Thursday, 1:00 am Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sundays, although the last trains leave the end stations inbound about half an hour before these times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/service/rail/|title=Metrorail Service|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118193839/https://www.wmata.com/service/rail/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/|title=Stations|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=May 29, 2016|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126153727/https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Pre-pandemic, trains ran more frequently during rush hours on all lines, with scheduled peak hour headways of 4 minutes on the Red Line and 6–8 minutes on all other lines. Headways are much longer during midday and evening on weekdays and all day weekends. The midday six-minute headways were based on a combination of two Metrorail lines (Blue/Yellow, Blue/Silver, Orange/Silver and Green/Yellow) as each route could run every 12 minutes (4 minutes for the Blue/Orange/Silver segment); in the case of the Red Line, every other train bound for Glenmont terminated at Silver Spring instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/metro-board-passes-budget-to-end-silver-spring-turnbacks/ |title=Metro board passes budget to end Silver Spring turnbacks |website=dcnewsnow.com |publisher=DC News Now |author=Shennekia Grimshaw |date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref> Night and weekend service varied between 6 and 20 minutes, with trains generally scheduled only every 15 to 20 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/|title=Rail Schedules|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124195701/https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dcist.com/story/19/05/15/arlington-cemetery-station-will-be-closed-and-blue-line-trains-rerouted-this-weekend/ |title=Arlington Cemetery Station Will Be Closed, Blue Line Trains Rerouted This Weekend |website=dcist.com |publisher=Dcist |author=Natalie Delgadillo |date=May 15, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2025}}</ref>

Other service truncations also occur in the system during rush hour service only. On the Red Line, every other train bound for Shady Grove terminated at {{wmata|Grosvenor–Strathmore}} until December 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transit/grosvenor-turnbacks-on-metros-red-line-to-end-dec-17/|title=Grosvenor Turnbacks on Metro's Red Line To End Dec. 17|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223211/https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transit/grosvenor-turnbacks-on-metros-red-line-to-end-dec-17/|url-status=live}}</ref> in addition to the alternating terminations at Silver Spring mentioned above. For the [[Yellow Line (Washington Metro)|Yellow Line]], all non Rush+ trains bound for {{wmata|Greenbelt}} and all normal trains bound for {{wmata|Fort Totten}} terminate at {{wmata|Mount Vernon Square}}. These are primarily instituted due to a limited supply of rail cars and the locations of [[pocket track]]s throughout the system. However, as of July 2019, both Red Line service truncations have ended, and 
as of April 2019, the Yellow Line served Greenbelt at all times. When the Yellow Line reopened on May 7, 2023, following major maintenance work, the Mount Vernon Square turnback was reinstated at all times, which has not happened since 2006.

Until 1999, Metro ended service at midnight every night, and weekend service began at 8 am. That year, WMATA began late-night service on Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am. By 2007, with encouragement from businesses, that closing time had been pushed back to 3 am,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosiak |first=Luke |date=February 11, 2011 |title=Metro eyes 12am weekend closures |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dr-gridlock/2011/02/metro_considers_12am_weekend_c.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014149/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dr-gridlock/2011/02/metro_considers_12am_weekend_c.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> with peak fares in effect for entries after midnight. There were plans floated to end late-night service due to costs in 2011, but they were met with resistance by riders.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=DuLac |first1=J. Freedom |last2=Schulte |first2=Brigid |author-link2=Brigid Schulte |last3=Shin |first3=Annys |last4=Vargas |first4=Theresa |date=February 13, 2011 |title=Metro's proposal to end late-night weekend trains rankles Washington's party crowd |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/13/AR2011021303061.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307054727/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/13/AR2011021303061.html |archive-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref>
WMATA temporarily discontinued late night rail service on May 30, 2016, so that Metro can conduct an extensive track rehabilitation program in an effort to improve the system's reliability.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6103 |title=Metro GM releases draft 'SafeTrack' plan to local jurisdictions |date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015607/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6103 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6140 |title=To support long-term maintenance strategy, Metro GM to propose closing rail system at 10 p.m. on Sundays and midnight every other night on a permanent basis |date=July 26, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015656/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6140 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 25, 2017, Metro cut its hours of operation with closing at 11:30 PM Monday–Thursday, 1 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 PM on Sunday,<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Board-to-Vote-on-Suspending-Late-Night-Metro-Service-406753555.html
|title=Metro Board Approves Suspending Late-Night Metro Service
|date=December 15, 2016
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|publisher=NBC4 Washington
|agency=Associated Press
|archive-date=December 20, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220152955/http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Board-to-Vote-on-Suspending-Late-Night-Metro-Service-406753555.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref name="june25">{{cite press release |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/06-17_Metro_Fare_and_Service_Changes.cfm |title=Metro announces June 25 effective date for new hours, fares, schedules |publisher=[[WMATA]] |date=May 12, 2017 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611201639/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/06-17_Metro_Fare_and_Service_Changes.cfm |url-status=live}}</ref> with the last trains leaving the end stations inbound about half an hour before these times.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/shady-grove.cfm
|title=Shady Grove {{!}} WMATA
|access-date=June 12, 2017
|archive-date=January 28, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128133724/https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/shady-grove.cfm
|url-status=live
}}</ref> As of 2022, the pre-2017 service hours have been restored.<ref name="railschedules22" />

==== Special service patterns ====

Metro runs special service patterns on holidays and when events in Washington may require additional service. [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] activities require Metro to adjust service to provide extra capacity to and from the [[National Mall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/061605_IVBJuly4OperationsPlan.pdf |title=July 4th, 2005 Operations Plan |date=June 16, 2005 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181927/https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meetings/upload/061605_IVBJuly4OperationsPlan.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> WMATA makes similar adjustments during other events, such as [[United States presidential inauguration|presidential inaugurations]]. Due to security concerns related to the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]], several Metro stations were closed for the 2021 Inauguration. Metro has altered service and used some stations as entrances or exits only to help manage congestion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2419 |title=Several Metrorail stations to be entry/exit only on Inauguration Day |date=January 13, 2009 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 28, 2009 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021819/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2419 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Rush Plus ====
In 2012, WMATA announced enhanced rush period service that was implemented on June 18, 2012, under the name "Rush+" (or "Rush Plus"). Rush Plus service occurred only during portions of peak service: 6:30–9:00 AM and 3:30–6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Rush+ realignment was intended to free up space in the Rosslyn Portal (the tunnel between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom), which operates at full capacity already. When Silver Line service began, those trains would be routed through the tunnel, and so some of what were Blue Line trains to {{wmata|Largo}} were now diverted across the [[14th Street bridges|Fenwick Bridge]] to become Yellow Line trains running all the way along the Green Line to {{wmata|Greenbelt}}. Select Yellow Line trains running south diverted along the Blue Line to {{wmata|Franconia–Springfield}} (as opposed to the normal Yellow line terminus at {{wmata|Huntington}}). Until the start of Silver Line service, excess Rosslyn Tunnel capacity was used by additional Orange Line trains that traveled along the Blue Line to Largo (as opposed to the normal Orange Line terminus at {{wmata|New Carrollton}}). Rush+ had the additional effect of giving some further number of passengers transfer-free journeys, though severely increasing headways for the portion of the Blue Line running between {{wmata|Pentagon}} and {{wmata|Rosslyn}}. In May 2017, Metro announced that Yellow Rush+ service would be eliminated effective June 25, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metro announces June 25 effective date for new hours, fares, schedules|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/06-17_Metro_Fare_and_Service_Changes.cfm|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611201639/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/06-17_Metro_Fare_and_Service_Changes.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== COVID-19 and 7000-series derailment (2020–present) ====
Headways have been lengthened as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.]], starting early 2020. Near-pre-pandemic service was restored at times until October 2021, but due to the [[#Derailments|7000-series derailment near Arlington Cemetery]], and subsequent removal of all 7000-series cars from service (which made up 60% of the WMATA fleet), headways were lengthened again to every 15 minutes on the Red Line and every 30 minutes on all other lines beginning October 19, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dempsey |first1=Tom |title=NTSB has identified 'an additional 21 cars with wheel problems' as Metro investigation continues, says Del. Norton |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/wmata-train-derailment-metro-dc-transportation-ntsb/65-258bff48-d49e-435b-8ca7-6ffd508bae30 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |agency=WUSA9 |date=October 19, 2021}}</ref>

Since then, with more 7000-series cars returning, headways have been gradually restored to near-pre-pandemic levels, especially outside of peak times, with ridership also increasing as a result. As of September 2024, several lines are actually more frequent than 2019 levels during certain times of day on weekdays and/or weekends. The Red Line's evening headways improved from every 15 minutes in 2019 to every 10 minutes in 2024. In 2019, all lines except the Red Line had 20-minute evening headways, whereas in 2024 the Green and Yellow Lines run every 8 minutes during evenings and the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines every 15. Sunday service improved to match Monday-Friday off-peak and Saturday levels of every 6 minutes on the Red Line, every 8 minutes on the Green and Yellow Lines, and every 12 minutes on the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines, compared to the previous 8 minutes on the Red Line and 15 minutes on all other lines. The Yellow and Green Lines also currently run every 6 minutes during rush hours starting 2023 (and off-peak hours on weekdays starting 2024) for the first time since major peak service cuts in 2017 that eliminated Rush Plus and decreased rush hour frequencies on all lines except the Blue Line from 6 to 8 minutes.

==== Current headways by line ====
Headways as of December 15, 2024.<ref name="timetable">{{cite web |title=Timetables |url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/ |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=December 16, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Line(s)
! colspan="3" |Weekdays
! colspan="2" |Weekends
|-
!Peak (7am–9am, 4pm–6pm)
!Off-peak (all other times)
!Late night (9:30pm–close)
!Daytime (7am–9:30pm)
!Late night (9:30pm–close)
|-
|{{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|5
|6
|10
|6
|10
|-
|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
|colspan="2" |6
|7.5
|colspan="2" |8

|-
|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15
|12
|15
|}

==== Current average headways by line segment ====
Headways as of November 9, 2024. Calculated using trains per hour and rounded to nearest minute.<ref name="timetable" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!|Section
!|Line(s)
!|Weekday rush (7–9am, 4–6pm)
!|Off-peak (before 9:30pm)
!|Late Night (9:30pm–close)
|-
|{{wmata|Shady Grove}} – {{wmata|Glenmont}}
|{{WMATA icon|Red|showtext=yes}}
|5
|6
|10

|-
|{{wmata|Branch Avenue}} – {{wmata|L'Enfant Plaza}}
|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}}
| colspan="1" |6
| colspan="2" |8

|-
|{{wmata|Huntington}} – {{wmata|King Street–Old Town}}
|{{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
| colspan="1" |6
| colspan="2" |8

|-
|{{wmata|L'Enfant Plaza}} – {{wmata|Mount Vernon Square}}
|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
| colspan="1" |3
| colspan="2" |4

|-
|{{wmata|Mount Vernon Square}} – {{wmata|Greenbelt}}
|{{WMATA icon|Green|showtext=yes}}
| colspan="1" |6
| colspan="2" |8

|-
|{{wmata|Franconia–Springfield}} – {{wmata|King Street–Old Town}}
|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15

|-
|{{wmata|King Street–Old Town}} – {{wmata|Pentagon}}
|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Yellow|showtext=yes}}
| colspan="1" |4
| colspan="2" |5

|-
|{{wmata|Pentagon}} – {{wmata|Rosslyn}}
|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15
|-
|{{wmata|Vienna}} – {{wmata|East Falls Church}}
|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15
|-
|{{wmata|Ashburn}} – {{wmata|East Falls Church}}
|{{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15
|-
|{{wmata|East Falls Church}} – {{wmata|Rosslyn}}
|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|5
|6
|8
|-
|{{wmata|Rosslyn}} – {{wmata|Stadium–Armory}}
|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|3
|4
|5
|-
|{{wmata|Stadium–Armory}} – {{wmata|Largo}}
|{{WMATA icon|Blue|showtext=yes}} {{WMATA icon|Silver|showtext=yes}}
|5
|6
|8
|-
|{{wmata|Stadium–Armory}} – {{wmata|New Carrollton}}
|{{WMATA icon|Orange|showtext=yes}}
|10
|12
|15
|}

=== Passenger information systems ===
[[File:Metro Center Bottom Platform.jpg|thumb|right|PIDS signs at the {{wmata|Metro Center}}]] [[File:WMATA King Street PIDS.jpg|thumb|right|Digital PIDS signs at the {{wmata|King Street}} station]]
A [[passenger information display system]] (PIDS) was installed in all Metrorail stations in 2000. Displays are located on all track platforms and at the mezzanine entrances of stations. They provide real-time information on next train arrivals, including the line, destination, number of cars in the train, and estimated wait time. The displays also show information about delayed trains, emergency announcements, and other bulletins.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|date=March 26, 2004|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=3000|title=Metro offers enhancements for the passenger information display monitors.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020551/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=3000 |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> The signs were upgraded in 2013 to better reflect Rush Plus and Silver Line schedules, and to prioritize next-train arrival information over other announcements.<ref>{{cite news | title=Metro working on upgrades to its train arrival signs | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=November 20, 2013 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2013/11/20/metro-working-on-upgrades-to-its-train-arrival-signs/ | access-date=February 20, 2019 | archive-date=February 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112053/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2013/11/20/metro-working-on-upgrades-to-its-train-arrival-signs/ | url-status=live }}</ref> New digital PIDS signs were installed at the six stations south of [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station|National Airport]] in summer 2019 as part of the Platform Improvement Project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2019/09/as-shutdown-winds-down-6-metro-stations-are-nearly-ready-to-reopen/|title=As shutdown winds down, 6 Metro stations close to reopening|date=September 6, 2019|website=WTOP|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=October 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004003948/https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2019/09/as-shutdown-winds-down-6-metro-stations-are-nearly-ready-to-reopen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

WMATA also provides current train and related information to customers with conventional [[web browser]]s, as well as users of [[smartphone]]s and other mobile devices.<ref>{{cite web|website=WMATA|url=http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/mobile_services.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208235922/http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/mobile_services.cfm|title=Mobile Services|archive-date=2008-12-08}}</ref> In 2010 Metro began sharing its PIDS data with outside software developers, for use in creating additional real-time applications for mobile devices. Free apps are available to the public on major mobile device software platforms ([[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Windows Phone]], [[Palm (PDA)|Palm]]).<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|date=August 6, 2010|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4600|title=Metro invites software developers to discuss new transit data feed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020924/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4600 |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=WMATA|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/developers/|title=Developer Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205182724/https://www.wmata.com/about/developers/ |archive-date=February 5, 2017|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref> WMATA also began providing real-time train information by phone in 2010.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|date=August 31, 2010|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4625|title=Real-time next train arrival information now available by phone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020458/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4625 |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>