Metro is fumbling a ride home for thousands of football fans. This Sunday night’s Redskins game starts at 8:30 p.m. and could go late, but Metro is refusing to stay open past midnight. Thank the agency’s major rail safety makeover known as SafeTrack.
The last westbound train leaves Morgan Boulevard at 11:27 p.m., forcing many leaving FedEx Field in Hyattsville to find another way home.
“This is prioritizing safety and reliability over service,” said Prince George’s County Metro Board Member Malcolm Augustine.
Typically, the Redskins would pay Metro to stay open late, but Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld is refusing to make special exceptions for special events.
In October, Wiedefeld blocked pleas to keep the rail system open late while Nationals baseball was in the playoffs.
“We’re going to continue to do this through SafeTrack and I support the general manager on that,” said Augustine.
Upset fans of the burgundy and gold said they’ll consider ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
“It's going to be an issue,” said Timothy Carpenter of Southeast D.C. “With people trying to get home I think they should reconsider that.”
The Redskins have setup a designated ride-sharing drop-off area at the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex.
