Today in Metro History...

Posts about events which happened today in WMATA & Washington Metro history! No affiliation to WMATA or Metrorail. Run by @DCMetroMaker

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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.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 7 years ago in 2019...
The Yellow Line was extended to Greenbelt a month earlier than scheduled in order to support the summer shutdown south of National Airport.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 3 year ago in 2023...
Potomac Yard-VT Station opened on the Yellow and Blue Lines between National Airport and Braddock Rd.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 27 years ago in 1999...
SmarTrip was launched!

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 58 years ago in 1968...
A 17-foot mockup Metro station was constructed near the future site of Rhode Island Ave, as an experimental sample to test structural aspects and lighting of underground stations.

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On this day, 32 years ago in 1994...
MetroAccess began operations!

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 35 years ago in 1991…
The Green Line began service, running from U Street to Gallery Place! Extending from Gallery Place, the 1.7 new miles of track included Mt Vernon Sq, Shaw-Howard U, & U Street-Cardozo.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 2 years ago in 2024…
All 2000-Series railcars were retired from passenger service, following 40 years of operation.

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[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 25 years ago in 2001…
The groundbreaking event was held for the Blue Line Extension to Largo Town Center.

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On this day, 3 years ago in 2023…
The Yellow Line reopened following a 7 month shutdown to rehabilitate the bridge & tunnel across the Potomac River. It was also cutback to terminate at Mt. Vernon Sq.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 54 years ago in 1972…
WMATA awarded a $91.6 million contract to Rohr Industries to manufacture 300 1000-Series Railcars for the opening of the Metrorail System.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

On this day, 43 years ago in 1983…
The Yellow Line began service, running from Gallery Place to National Airport! Extending from Pentagon, the 3.3 new miles of track included Archives and the Yellow Line Bridge crossing over the Potomac.

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On this day, 20 years ago in 2006…
Metro celebrated their 30th Anniversary with surprise commemorative merch giveaways during morning rush hour at Gallery Place station.

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On this day, 37 years ago in 1989…
A car fell off an overpass onto Metro tracks along I-66 between Vienna & Dunn Loring, narrowly grazing a Metro train at a low speed.

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On this day, 11 years ago in 2015…
The 7000-Series railcars first entered service on the Blue Line.

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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.

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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.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

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.

[Today in Metro History... @WMATAHistory]

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