Metro Turns 50!

Metro, subway, WMATA—whatever you call it—DC-area locals know what you mean. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has been moving DMV residents and visitors for 50 years now, getting them to work, school, shopping, and essential appointments.

WMATA’s rail system opened on March 27, 1976, consisting of 4.6 miles of the Red Line, taking passengers from Rhode Island Avenue to Farragut North in downtown Washington, DC. Today, the rail system has six lines, with 130 miles of tracking across 98 stations. In 2025 alone, the system delivered 147 million trips while playing a central role in the area’s economy and daily life.

“Metro was a bold vision and investment in the region by previous generations,” said WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke. “Fifty years later, it remains essential to how people connect to jobs, school, and opportunity. Today, we honor the organizers, the decision makers, the builders, the employees, and the customers who have made America’s Metro System an integral part of the region over the past half-century. Team Metro is committed to stewardship of this great system and continuing to provide safe, frequent, and reliable service for the next 50 years.”

WMATA Board Chair Valerie Santos explains how the agency supports the capitol city’s communities and economy. “For half a century, Metro has been the connective tissue of our region and supported its growth and economic vitality. We’ve carried billions of people from presidential inaugurations to World Series celebrations, from the surge of Cherry Blossom visitors each spring to the sea of red, white, and blue each Fourth of July. Metro has moved not just crowds, but history itself. Just as importantly, Metro is woven into the rhythm of everyday life, carrying people to work, to friends and family events, concerts and restaurants, healthcare, education, and community.”

A website—Metro50th.com—provides a timeline of WMATA’s history and photos from years past. Throughout the coming months, the agency will celebrate with 50^th anniversary Smart Trip cards, vehicle wraps, pennants, trading cards, and merchandise. A coffee table book is even in the works.

The anniversary day kicked off with a celebration at Metro Center in the morning. During the day, staff will hand out pennants and other anniversary giveaways. An exclusive anniversary ride will take place later in the day for contest winners.