WASHINGTON — Metro riders avoided eastern stations on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines and took another route to work Monday during the first rush hour with a full track and station closure, according to initial ridership figures.
About 65 percent fewer riders used the stations east of the track closure, which stretches between Eastern Market and Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road, Monday morning compared to the Monday before Memorial Day, according to Metro data.
Metro leaders asked riders to avoid that section of the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines until this work zone ends July 3 in order to reserve limited shuttle bus service around the two closed stations for those who need it and who have no other options.
However, Metro said ridership rose 23 to 33 percent at the Greenbelt and College Park stations on the Green Line Monday morning.
Overall, Metro said ridership across the system was down about 4.5 percent compared to May 23.
As part of the work, there is also no Blue Line service between Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery.
Workarounds include MARC, VRE, buses or carpooling.
Due to the heat, many MARC and VRE trains could be slightly delayed Monday afternoon. Heat-related speed restrictions were put in place to reduce the likelihood of track issues causing a safety problem for the commuter trains.
