Lately LA Metro has been testing a fare-capping plan under which transit riders pay for trips until they hit a fixed dollar amount and then ride free after that, though new Mayor Karen Bass has suggested support for permanently abolishing the fares.Īnalysts say D.C.’s free fare system offers a good test case on how public transit can be reshaped for a post-pandemic future.

Los Angeles instituted free fares in 2020 before recently resuming charging riders. and overnight starting March 20, for four consecutive weeks.Īnother fan favorite, the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorative SmarTrip cards are now at selected stations – L’Enfant Plaza, Navy Yard and Metro Center.Other cities, including Los Angeles and Kansas City, Missouri, suspended fare collection during the height of the pandemic to minimize human contact and ensure that residents with no other travel options could reach jobs and services at hospitals, grocery stores and offices.īut D.C.‘s permanent free fare plan will be by far the biggest, coming at a time when major cities including Boston and Denver and states such as Connecticut are considering broader zero-fare policies to improve equity and help regain ridership that was lost with the rise of remote and hybrid work.

They plan to have extra trains positioned throughout the system to help with crowds if needed, and extra buses will be strategically placed if additional capacity is needed on selected routes or a disruption occurs.Īny maintenance or track work will happen after 10 p.m. 'We want you to enjoy the ride to see the blooms and join us in celebrating the season on our cherry blossom buses and train.'Ĭherry blossom season is traditionally one of the highest ridership periods for Metro.

'The annual cherry blossom season is an iconic part of our region, and we are proud to be a part of that experience,' said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. or the Tidal Basin is your backyard, you may be looking for some extra special ways to celebrate the blooms. Cherry Blossoms 2023: Restaurants and bars celebrating the season of bloom in DCĬherry blossom season is here! Whether you're just visiting D.C.

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