July 29, 2021

Commute with Care and Confidence

by goDCgo

#DCisOpen and resuming your commute to work is one of the things you are likely thinking about these days. If you haven’t noticed already, traffic congestion is growing in the DC metro area, so you can save a ton of time by opting to take public transit instead. We understand any looming concerns, and we’re here to assure you that the safety, health, and wellness of riders and the community continue to be the District’s priority. To help you feel safer about using public transportation, goDCgo, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) have teamed up to provide you with the latest information and updates to help you feel confident resuming your commute on public transit.

goDCgo’s Commute with Care page is your one-stop-shop for information about cleaning and disinfecting protocols, air filtration, crowd tracking, and safety measures required by the District’s public transportation providers. Everyone needs to do their part to keep our community healthy and safe — including YOU! While our transit agencies are committed to rider safety, we need you to do your part, too. All riders are still required to properly wear a face mask or covering while in stations and on board for the duration of trips, including fully vaccinated riders. In addition to following the Commute with Care tips, we’ve highlighted some additional travel guidance below.

Plan Your Trips

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some of DC’s public transit providers have been operating on limited and/or modified schedules to accommodate demand and safe ridership while others have now returned to full service. Before leaving home, make sure you check the hours of operation and track transit capacity to avoid overcrowding and allow for social distancing. We also recommend pre-planning your trip for efficiency. We know that commuting can be stressful, especially if you are driving alone, so we encourage you to choose a method of transportation that is more sustainable such as taking the bus, walking, biking, or scooting. You will find that you can save more money, time, and reduce stress levels by avoiding driving altogether.

Use Contactless Payments

Breeze through the fare gates or bus lines by using contactless payments. Eliminate the shuffle of looking through your bag for your fare and avoid contact with high touched surfaces. You can get a “touch-free” experience and a safer way to pay using SmarTrip® on iPhone or Android so you won’t need to touch card readers or vending machines. Instantly add funds, buy money-saving passes, check balances, set up Auto Reload, and manage SmartBenefits from the palm of your hand. Download the app to tap and go.

Protect Yourself

Federal law mandate requires mask wearing on public transit. If you are vaccinated, you are still required to comply with the law. We strongly encourage riders to continue to sanitize hands after making contact with handrails on transit, on escalators, and staircases in stations. Stay up-to-date with transit alerts by following @WMATA, @DCCirculator, and @goDCgo on social media. Real time information can help you stay informed about your travel.

If you haven’t already, get vaccinated! Every DC resident age 12 and older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. No appointment needed. Find a vaccination site near you.