Due to Shutdown, WMATA Is Limiting Trains to 6 Cars

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced on Wednesday that due to the federal government shutdown and nearly a quarter drop in ridership, it will reduce the size of all trains to no more than six cars.

With rail ridership down about 22%, Metrorail is going with all 6-car trains until further notice. Regular weekday schedule continues #wmata

— @wmata (@wmata) October 2, 2013

WMATA spokesperson Dan Stessel says running six cars is typical during “less busy times, such as weekends and late night,” as well as in late December, “when ridership drops off considerably.”

Stessel said there is no revenue impact projection, yet but pressure will hit the operating budget if the shutdown “drags on.” While the drop-off is well distributed across the entire system, he says, “Stations that are near federal worksites or National Mall destinations are feeling the drop-off more acutely. These include Pentagon, L’Enfant Plaza, Capitol South, Federal Triangle, and Smithsonian.”

Carol Ross Joynt