Blue Line trains won't run on Veteran's Day as Metro attempts to deal with thousands of passengers attending the free Concert for Valor. Blame the Boss, people.
Up to 800,000 people will be permitted to attend the concert on the National Mall, which will feature Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Rihanna and John Oliver. Metrorail will run enhanced Saturday service, and the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed. Blue Line riders in Maryland may use Silver Line trains to get downtown.
"All Blue Line service will be replaced with additional Yellow Line service running between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt," Metro said in a board presentation. "This service change provides a faster, direct (transfer-free) trip to the Mall for thousands of Virginia riders, as well as more frequent service and more capacity to the Mall for riders in D.C. and Prince George's County."
According to NBC4, "a special shuttle train will operate between National Airport and Arlington Cemetery."
Metro says it will be doing plenty of outreach before the November 11 event, including setting up a special web page and printing brochures. Extra service is expected to cost more than $500,000, which will be paid for by HBO and Starbucks.
The concert will also be livestreamed.