About Metro

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. The Authority began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. Today, Metrorail serves 86 stations and has 106 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of 3.4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction. Metro began its paratransit service, MetroAccess, in 1994; it provides about 1.5 million trips per year.
- View milestones in Metro's history (PDF) from 1952 to the present.
- See WMATA Facts (PDF) for system size, vehicles, and other facts about the transit system.
Funding

Fares and advertising revenue do not pay for all of the costs of operating Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess service. The shortfall is covered by contributions from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Fairfax County, and Falls Church. You can learn more about Metro funding by viewing the presentation on WMATA Subsidy Allocation Methodology (PDF).
Data Use and Privacy Policy

Metro respects your privacy. We collect personal data online only if you buy from us online, subscribe to our email subscription service or apply for a job online. We do not lease, sell or otherwise release your personal information to outside companies for marketing purposes. Our corporate privacy policy (PDF), systems of records notices, and Web privacy policy detail what personal data we collect and how we use and safeguard it.
Environmental Policy

Metro is committed to compliance with environmental laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and other adopted requirements. Metro will provide the necessary resources to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve the environmental management system and is committed to compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and other adopted requirements. All Metro executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees are accountable and have a personal and corporate responsibility to ensure that this commitment is incorporated into daily activities and functions. Metro provides the nation's best transit service to our customers and improves the quality of life in the Washington metropolitan area.