WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Metro wants to extend its hours so you can get a ride. It’s part of next year’s proposed budget posted online Tuesday. There’s great news for people who work or play late on weekend nights.
On any given weekend, the U Street corridor is packed with people.
“As somebody who goes out often on the weekend I think it’s good to be able to use public transportation late at night,” Jared Bell said.
Currently, Metro trains stop running at 1 a.m., though most bars close at 2 a.m.
WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke wants to change that.
In his fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, he wants Metrorail to open an hour early at 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and close an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 a.m.
“I think that’d be great. I know most people after 12 if they’re out and about on the weekends they mainly opt for Uber, Lyft,” Mariana Molano said.
Metro said it better aligns service with regional travel demand.
“I think that it’s a smart idea. It keeps people safe. If you’re with a group it’s easier to transfer places,” Kristen Aylward said.
It’s not only good for people looking to have fun at bars on the weekend, but also for those working, including bar back Adam Krsnak at Sports & Social.
“Being able to work late into the night and still make it home on Metro is going to be a lot better for me, especially now that it’s getting cold. I won’t have to call Ubers or Capital Bikeshare or anything like that,” Krsnak said.
Other budget proposals include increasing capacity during peak hours and introducing open payments, allowing people to tap their contactless credit or debit cards to pay.
The budget will be presented to Metro’s board on Thursday morning. Then public hearings will be held to gather feedback.
