April 7, 2020

Transportation Updates for Essential Travel Only

by Korrea Johnston

In the best interest of public safety during the health crisis, transportation providers nationwide have taken effective, protective measures to support the “stay home” advisory and to encourage safe social distancing. This includes aggressive cleaning and disinfecting protocols, temporarily pausing or reducing services, closing stations, and more.

Please be advised that you should be traveling for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY in Washington, DC which includes obtaining medical care that cannot be provided virtually; purchasing food and/or household goods; performing or accessing essential government functions; working at essential businesses; engaging in essential travel; or engaging in recreational activities, as defined by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Stay-At-Home Order.

Below is a breakdown of limited transportation services in the District of Columbia:

Capital Bikeshare

• Capital Bikeshare will provide FREE 30-day memberships to essential workers in the DC metro area valid for unlimited 30-minute trips through June 30, 2020.^*
• Enrollment is free and the membership will not auto-renew into a paid membership.
• To enroll, email HeroBikes@Lyft.com by June 30, 2020; companies can enroll their staff or essential workers can enroll directly.
• Any Capital Bikeshare user can purchase $1 Single Ride Passes for essential trips through June 30, 2020.

Carshare

• Free2Move carsharing services is offering $100 in FREE credits for first responders. Download the app to sign-up. You must submit your work photo ID or use your work email so Free2Move can confirm you are a first responder.
• Small businesses can email support@free2move-carsharing.com directly so Free2Move can tailor an offer to support the unique needs of your business.

DC Circulator

• Monday – Friday: Buses operate from 6am to 9pm for essential work, medical, or grocery store trips.
• Saturday – Sunday: Buses operate from 7am to 9pm for essential work, medical, or grocery store trips.
• Fare collection is temporarily suspended on all routes until further notice from Mayor Bowser.
• Riders must enter and exit the bus using the rear doors at all times.
• Service on the National Mall route is suspended.

DC Streetcar

• Streetcar is operating on a temporarily shortened schedule. You can expect a streetcar to arrive at your stop approximately every 20 minutes.
• Monday – Friday: Streetcar operates from 8am to 10pm.
• Saturday – Sunday: Streetcar operates from 8am to 8pm.

Metrobus

• Monday – Friday: Buses operate from 5am to 11pm on a modified Sunday schedule unless otherwise noted. Please visit wmata.com to check weekday bus routes to make sure your bus is running.
• Saturday – Sunday: Buses operate from 8am to 11pm and arrive every 30 minutes unless otherwise noted.
• Riders must enter and exit the bus using the rear doors at all times.
• Fare collection is temporarily suspended since all farebox and SmarTrip equipment is located at the front door.
• Metrobus will end service at 11pm everyday. Buses that enter service at or before 11pm will continue to the end of the route before going out of service.
• Customers should wear cloth face coverings when riding Metrobus.

Metrorail

• Trains will operate on all lines, serving all open stations.
• Monday – Friday: Trains will operate from 5am to 9pm.
  • Red Line trains operate every 15 minutes; all other trains operate every 20 minutes.
• Saturday – Sunday: Trains will operate from 8am to 9pm.
  • Red Line trains operate every 20 minutes; all other trains operate every 30 minutes.
• Take note that 19 stations are closed, as well as some station entrances. Please use adjacent stations as no shuttle buses will be provided.
• Riders are only permitted to occupy the train’s “middle” (second through seventh) cars; all first and last railcars are out of service to protect train operators.
• Customers should wear cloth face coverings when using the Metrorail.

Mopeds

• Revel electric moped company is offering FREE rides to qualified individuals who are performing essential healthcare services or working in healthcare facilities.
• A health care provider includes, but is not limited to: hospitals, clinics, urgent care clinics, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, home health care services providers, mental health providers, dialysis and infusion centers, or any related health care services.^** As of May 22, applications have closed for the Health Care Worker membership program that Revel launched on March 20.

Rideshare

• Lyft and Uber have paused their shared ride or “pool” services.
• Taxi/rideshare riders must wear face masks effective April 17 through May 15, 2020, unless otherwise amended.

Scooters

• Spin scooter company is providing FREE 30-minute rides and FREE helmets to healthcare professionals.
• To access this benefit, please follow the directions here.

To continue to #FlattenTheCurve, we ask that you keep doing your part as well. Stay home, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, cover your cough or sneeze, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and travel for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY. Should you need to leave the house, review these safety tips on how to commute with care.

^*Should the public health emergency continue beyond June 30, 2020, Capital Bikeshare will determine ridership needs and the best way to support the program further.

^**This is subject to change at any time as Revel continues to monitor the impact of the health crisis. Eligibility determined by Revel in its sole discretion. Subject to Revel’s user approval process, operating hours and availability at any time, and to reasonable, non-abusive use of the service.