Today in Metro History...

On this day, 50 years ago in 1976… The Washington Metro opened for service! The 4.6 mile Red Line segment included Farragut North, Metro Center, Judiciary Sq, Union Station, & Rhode Island Ave.

On this day, 50 years ago in 1976… The Washington Metro had its first revenue service day with a fare of 55 cents and over 19,913 riders.

On this day, 6 years ago in 2020… The COVID-19 pandemic caused Metro to close 19 stations systemwide. All trains bypassed these stations during the closure.

On this day, 4 years ago in 2022… Hitachi Rail announced plans to construct a 300,000 square foot facility in Hagerstown, MD which would produce Metro's 8000-Series railcars.

On this day, 10 years ago in 2016… The entire Metrorail System was shutdown for emergency repairs and inspections.

On this day, 50 years ago in 1976… Empty test trains began operating on schedule in preparation for the March 27th opening. The test trains ran for 14 hours from 6am to 8pm without major issues.

On this day, 10 years ago in 2016... Metro stopped accepting paper farecards, officially retiring them from use.

On this day, 45 years ago in 1981... Rockville Railroad Station was moved 50 meters south to allow for the construction of the Rockville Metro Station adjacent to the reconstructed Amtrak Station.

On this day, 10 years ago in 2016... The DC Streetcar opened along H Street & Benning Road, running 2.2 miles from Union Station to Oklahoma Ave.

On this day, 6 years ago in 2020... The final 7000-Series railcar, numbered 7747, was delivered to WMATA at Greenbelt Railyard.

On this day, 59 years ago in 1967... WMATA was founded!

On this day, 9 years ago in 2017... The first of 98 4000-series railcars, numbered 4054, was shipped off WMATA property from Greenbelt Yard and scrapped after 26 years of service.

On this day, 8 years ago in 2018... The final 4000-series railcar, numbered 4014, was shipped off WMATA property and scrapped. Following that, 4000-4001 are the only remaining 4Ks retained for historical purposes.

On this day, 48 years ago in 1978... The Red Line extension to Silver Spring opened! Extending from Rhode Island Ave, the 5.7 new miles of track included Brookland, Fort Totten, Takoma, & Silver Spring.

On this day, 53 years ago in 1973... Metrobus began operations!

On this day, 29 years ago in 1997... The Green Line Commuter Shortcut began service between Farragut North and Greenbelt. Running via the B&E connector at Fort Totten, the shortcut allowed for travel between the north & south segments of the GR Line by transferring at Gallery Pl.

On this day, 24 years ago in 2002... The National Building Museum opened the "On Track: Transit and the American City" Exhibit featuring a recreation of a 4000-Series Metro railcar bulkhead and cab.

On this day, 10 years ago in 2016... The "Snowzilla" Blizzard suspended all Metrorail service for two days and led to multiple rail segment closures continuing into the following week.

On this day, 9 years ago in 2017... The 2017 Women's March on Washington leads to Metro's 2nd highest single day ridership of all time with 1,001,613 trips made.

On this day, 17 years ago in 2009... Barack Obama's 2009 Presidential Inauguration leads to Metro's highest single day ridership of all time with approximately 1,120,000 trips made.