DC Metro Adjusts D40 Route for Arena Event
DC Metro reroutes D40 buses for two hours April 18 due to Florence and the Machine concert
DC Metro D40 Bus Detours for Concert April 18
Washington DC's Metro will detour D40 bus service for two hours Saturday night as Florence and the Machine performs at Capital One Arena. The temporary route change affects the 7th St-Georgia Ave line from 10 PM to 11:59 PM on April 18, 2026, transit officials said. Both northbound and southbound buses will bypass their regular downtown stops due to expected heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the venue.
Concert Crowds Prompt Route Changes
The detour addresses anticipated congestion from concertgoers traveling to and from Capital One Arena, according to the transit agency. Metro typically implements temporary service adjustments for major events at downtown venues to maintain schedule reliability while managing street closures. Officials said the two-hour window covers the concert's start time and initial arrival period when foot traffic peaks. Transit agencies commonly reroute buses during arena events to prevent delays that could cascade through the system.
Northbound and Southbound Detour Details
Northbound D40 buses heading toward Silver Spring will turn from their regular route at E St and 7th St NW, then resume normal service at L St, officials said. Southbound buses traveling toward Archives will detour at K St and 7th St NW before returning to their standard route at Constitution Ave. The adjustments mean buses won't serve regular stops along 7th St NW between those points during the detour period. Metro didn't specify how many stops will be temporarily bypassed or whether shuttle service will cover the gap.
Two-Hour Service Window Saturday Night
The route modification takes effect at 10 PM Saturday and ends at 11:59 PM, giving buses nearly two hours on the alternate path. Officials said the timing aligns with concert start and the heaviest arrival traffic but didn't indicate whether the detour could extend if crowds linger longer than expected. Metro advised riders to plan trips accordingly and allow extra travel time during the adjustment period.
Riders Should Plan for Extra Travel Time
Passengers using the D40 route Saturday night should expect longer trips and consider alternate routes if traveling through downtown, transit officials said. Metro encouraged riders to avoid the Capital One Arena area if their trips aren't event-related. The agency didn't provide estimated delay times for affected buses. Moovit offers real-time D40 bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for Washington DC Metro riders navigating service changes.
