Metrorail’s Silver Line extension and the beginning of Silver Line transit bus service have now been in operation in Loudoun for one year. Loudoun Transit and Commuter Services will recognize the anniversary by hosting pop-up events on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. During these events, the public is invited to visit tables at the north and south sides of the Ashburn Metrorail Station, located at 43625 Croson Lane in Ashburn. The county will provide giveaways while supplies last, as well as offer information about the Silver Line bus routes, trip planning and assistance with Transit services.
One year ago, Loudoun County Transit phased in the largest update to its bus system in over a decade in concert with the opening of the Metrorail’s Silver Line extension, which includes the Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn Metro stations in Loudoun County, and Innovation Center, Herndon and Reston Town Center in Fairfax County. The Silver Line bus service currently runs 21 bus routes and has 156 bus stops, improving overall service to and from Silver Line Metrorail stations. To date, the Silver Line bus routes have provided service for over 72,000 passengers.
In October 2023, a major milestone was reached with Metrorail service topping one million customers at the Dulles Airport Metrorail Station since the Silver Line extension opened. The six new Silver Line stations have provided service to more than three million riders during that time, according to figures from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
How to Use Silver Line Metrorail and Bus Services in Loudoun
Here are four things to know about using Silver Line Metrorail and Bus services in Loudoun:
- Three Stations: Loudoun County has three Metrorail stations: Ashburn, Loudoun Gateway and Washington Dulles International Airport. More information about each station, including video tours, may be found at loudoun.gov/silverlinestations.
- Metro Parking: Need to park your car or bike before you hop on a train? The Metro parking garages in Loudoun feature electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks, daily parking and reserved parking. Loudoun County operates the Ashburn South and Loudoun Gateway garages. The Ashburn North garage, which is operated privately, is also an option for commuters. Information about parking at Loudoun’s Metro station is online.
- Silver Line Bus Routes: Loudoun County Transit runs bus service that connects riders with Metrorail, including to and from Loudoun Park and Ride lots. It costs $1.00 to ride all Silver Line bus routes. For additional details about each route, including the location of bus stops, times of routes and maps of routes, visit loudoun.gov/silverlinebusroutes.
- Plan Your Trip: Riders can plan their trips with online tools, including Google Maps, Transit app, and WMATA’s Metro Trip Planner, which includes Metrorail service and bus service to and from Metrorail stations and other regional resources. You can also use the planner to calculate your fare, which is based on the service, ride length, day and time you ride. Purchase a SmarTrip® card, which is the easiest method to pay Metrorail fares. More information about planning your trip is online.
More Information
Visit loudoun.gov/riderinformation for details about Loudoun County Transit, including commuter, local-fixed route, Metro connection and paratransit bus services; planning a trip; service alerts; and how to ride safely.
Everything commuters need to know about accessing and using Metro from Loudoun County is posted at loudoun.gov/silverline.
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