Red Line Metro closures: Metro announces summer travel alternatives

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Metro announced free limited-stop and local shuttle buses to help with transit during extended Red Line closures this summer.

In a news release Tuesday, Metro said that it was teaming up with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Montgomery County and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to cover closures that are lasting from June 1 through Aug. 31.

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Metro said that it worked with MTA to establish more than seven miles of bus-only lanes along the shuttle routes. It also said it worked with DDOT within D.C. to adjust signal timing and other mitigations to help with shuttle bus service.

The Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring stations will be closed for the whole time. Takoma will be closed from June 1 to June 29.

Red Line train service will also be affected by capacity limitations at Fort Totten and Takoma — Metro said you may see more crowded trains at peak times.

From June 1 to June 29, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Glenmont and Fort Totten. From June 30 to Aug. 31, these buses will replace trains between Glenmont and Takoma.

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Metro said that its local and limited-stop shuttles will run around every four minutes during peak hours and around every 8 minutes at all other times.

Its express service will run on weekdays only. These shuttles will run about every 8 minutes all day.

Metro said that MTA will also offer discounted fares for MARC trains and Commuter Bus service from stops near the closed stations.

You can find more information, maps of bus routes and more on Metro’s website.

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