DC-Maryland-Virginia Metro Restarts After Shutdown

Metro suspends all rail and bus service at midnight, resumes Monday on reduced schedule

Metro Suspends All Service at Midnight

Metro suspended all rail and bus service at midnight Sunday across the DC-Maryland-Virginia region, affecting thousands of commuters throughout the metropolitan area. The transit agency announced the complete service halt as authorities worked to address challenging conditions impacting the transportation network. Rail service will resume Monday operating on a Sunday schedule with reduced frequency, while bus service restarts at 6 a.m. depending on road conditions.

Recovery Plans Set for Monday Morning

The service suspension represents one of the most significant disruptions to the region's transit network in recent years. Metro operates one of the nation's busiest transit systems, serving hundreds of thousands of daily riders across the capital region. Complete service suspensions are rare and typically reserved for severe weather events or critical infrastructure issues. Officials didn't specify what conditions prompted the shutdown, though the timing suggests weather-related challenges affecting both rail and road operations.

Phased Restoration Across Multiple Services

Metro outlined a phased approach to restoring service Monday morning. Rail operations will run on a Sunday schedule, which typically means trains arriving every 15-20 minutes compared to weekday frequencies of 6-12 minutes during peak hours. Bus service begins at 6 a.m., though officials said route availability depends on road conditions and the agency will progressively add routes throughout the day. Metro Access paratransit service reopens at 8 a.m. to accommodate all scheduled trips for riders with disabilities. Officials didn't provide specific numbers on how many of Metro's more than 300 bus routes will operate initially.

Service Gradually Improved Saturday

Metro worked to restore service incrementally throughout Saturday, Jan. 25, according to the transit agency. Rail frequencies increased as conditions allowed, and additional bus routes were added back into service during the day. The agency didn't specify how many routes operated Saturday or what percentage of normal service was available. Officials said they continued monitoring conditions to determine when full service could safely resume.

Commuters Face Monday Morning Uncertainty

Riders should expect significant delays and reduced service Monday morning as Metro works to restore full operations. The Sunday schedule for rail service means longer waits between trains during what would normally be Monday rush hour. Bus riders may find their regular routes unavailable initially, with service expanding as road conditions improve throughout the day. Moovit provides real-time updates on Metro rail and bus service, helping riders plan alternative routes when their usual service isn't available. Officials haven't said when normal weekday service levels will resume.