Metro, in hopes of regaining ridership lost during the coronavirus pandemic, said it temporarily waive fees it charges for keeping trains operating during special events in the D.C. area.
The Metro board passed a resolution authorizing Paul Wiedefeld, the agency’s general manager and CEO, to waive the special services fees collected during events such as sporting events and races, when trains run after regular hours or enhanced service is needed during normal operating hours, WTOP reported.
The waiver will last through Jan. 1, 2022.
Board Chair Paul Smedberg supported the resolution, saying the waiver will boost the Washington area economically from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Metro is a part of the region’s economic recovery,” Smedberg said in a statement, WTOP reported. “Not only for our championship teams, but also for other major events, and we want folks to know that Metro will be there when they want to ride.”
The cost for the system to run beyond closing time is $100,000 per hour, WTOP reported. The money has to be put in escrow ahead of an event but whoever pays for it receives all fares from the extra hour.
