Free Metro Rides: Weekend Fun Or Efficient Commute?

is the metro free on weekends

In some cities, public transportation is free on weekends. For example, in Montreal, 7 downtown metro stations were free to ride on weekends and holidays from June 24 to September 5, 2022. This initiative aimed to encourage the use of public transit and improve accessibility across the city. Similarly, in Washington, D.C., Metro-operated parking is free on weekends and federal holidays, and monthly pass holders for the Metrolink in Washington can ride free on weekends.

shunauto

Montreal Metro is free on weekends

Montreal is making public transportation more accessible by offering free rides on the metro during the weekends of summer 2022. From June 24 to September 5, anyone can ride to seven stations for free. This initiative aims to encourage the use of public transit and improve mobility in the downtown area. Montreal's Mayor, Valérie Plante, announced that seven stations along the green and orange lines would be free to access during the summer. These stations are Berri-UQAM, Champ-de-Mars, McGill, Peel, Place-d'Armes, Place-des-Arts, and Saint-Laurent.

The STM, or Société de transport de Montréal, welcomed the news, stating that it would incentivize people to use the metro and experience its advantages, such as reliability, efficiency, and frequency of service. The city has implemented various measures to improve accessibility, including the new REM operations and highway construction. The free metro access initiative is expected to cost the city $2 million, and the estimated traffic for the summer at these seven stations is approximately 136,000 entrants per weekend.

This initiative is part of Montreal's efforts to create an enjoyable downtown summer experience. In addition to free weekend entry at the metro stations, the municipal government is taking steps to improve cleanliness and reduce the impact of construction on traffic flow. They are increasing the number of recycling and waste baskets by more than 50% and deploying the Mobility Squad to address issues with orange cones, signs, and fences in traffic lanes.

Montreal's metro system is known for its efficiency and is the easiest and fastest way to get around the city, especially during the summer months when there are numerous festivals and events. By offering free rides at these seven stations, the city is making it more convenient for both residents and visitors to explore downtown attractions.

With the Unlimited Weekend fare, you can enjoy unlimited travel on the bus, metro, train, and REM trains in Zones A, B, C, and D from 4 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday. This fare is also valid on the YUL Aéroport MTl-Trudeau (747) line and can be purchased at fare vending machines, from station agents, authorized retailers, or on the Chrono mobile app.

shunauto

Washington Metro parking is free on weekends

If you're planning to drive to a Metro station in Washington and are wondering about parking fees, you'll be glad to know that parking is free on weekends at all Metro-operated parking facilities. This includes both Saturday and Sunday, as well as federal holidays. So, if you're heading out on a weekend trip or exploring the area, you can leave your car at one of the 51 Metro stations with parking options without worrying about parking charges.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) offers various parking options to cater to different needs. These include short-term hourly parking, daily parking, monthly reserved parking, and multi-day parking. Depending on the parking facility, you can pay by the hour or opt for a flat daily rate. The rates vary across stations and are generally higher on weekdays.

For those needing parking for multiple days, there are limited spots available for up to 10 days at a time, and these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Multi-day parking is currently available at three stations: Greenbelt Metro Station, Huntington Metro Station, and Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. The rates for these stations range from $4.25 to $4.50 per day.

It's important to note that while parking is free on weekends, special events may incur a separate parking fee. For example, during events at SECU Stadium and FedEx Field, a $15 Special Event Parking Fee is applied for non-riders.

So, if you're a local resident or a visitor to Washington, taking advantage of the free weekend parking at Metro stations can be a great way to explore the city and its surroundings without the hassle of driving and parking fees.

shunauto

Metrolink offers a $10 Weekend Day Pass for unlimited travel across the system on either Saturday or Sunday. The pass is ideal for occasional riders who want to complete their trip in one day and weekend riders seeking unlimited travel for weekend adventures.

The Weekend Day Pass can be purchased from ticket machines at Metrolink stations with weekend service or via the mobile app on the day of travel. It is important to note that the pass is only available for purchase on Saturdays and Sundays and expires at 3 am following the date of purchase.

With the Weekend Day Pass, riders can also take advantage of free connections to many destinations, including Anaheim Resort Transit (ART), city buses, shuttle buses, light rail, and subway lines. This makes it a convenient option for those looking to explore different areas without the hassle of multiple tickets.

Additionally, Metrolink offers a "Kids Ride Free on Weekends" deal, where up to three children aged 17 and under can travel anywhere on the system with a paying adult. This further enhances the value of the Weekend Day Pass for families looking to explore Southern California during the weekends.

When planning a trip using the Metrolink Weekend Day Pass, it is important to be aware of the limitations of the weekend schedules and the time required for travel. While the pass offers a cost-effective option, the Metrolink has limited train frequencies, and travel between certain destinations can take a significant amount of time. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully check the schedules and plan travel accordingly.

shunauto

STM fares in Montreal

In an effort to encourage the use of public transit, Montreal's Metro was made free to ride on weekends and holidays between seven downtown stations from June 24 to September 5, 2022. The stations included in this initiative were: Berri-UQAM, Champ-de-Mars, McGill, Peel, Place-d'Armes, Place-des-Arts, and Saint-Laurent. This measure, which cost the city $2 million, aimed to promote public transit as a way of getting around downtown Montreal.

Outside of this initiative, STM fares in Montreal vary depending on the type of pass purchased and the age of the rider. For residents of Montreal, seniors aged 65 and over can travel for free on all modes in Zone A, including bus, metro, train, and paratransit. This pass must be loaded onto an OPUS card. For other riders, STM offers a range of pass options, including single-ride tickets and unlimited passes for varying durations.

Single-ride tickets include the 1-trip, All Modes A ticket, which is valid for one trip on the metro, bus lines, train, and REM trains in Zone A. This ticket costs $3.75 and is the only transit fare that can be purchased on a bus, with exact change required. Another option is the 2-trip, All Modes A ticket, which allows for two trips and must be used by a single customer.

Unlimited passes offer riders unlimited travel for a specified duration. These include the Unlimited Evening pass, valid for unlimited travel between 6 pm and 5 am the next morning, and the Unlimited Weekend pass, valid for unlimited travel between 4 pm on Friday and 5 am on Monday. There are also unlimited passes for 24 hours, 3 consecutive days, one calendar month (monthly pass), and four consecutive months (4-month pass). These unlimited passes can be purchased on the OPUS card.

Additionally, STM offers reduced fares for students and children. Children aged 11 and under can travel for free when accompanied by a supervising individual aged 14 or older, with a limit of five children per accompanying adult. Students can obtain a photo OPUS card and save 40% on public transit fares.

Overall, STM fares in Montreal provide a range of options for riders, from single-ride tickets to unlimited passes, with concessions available for seniors, students, and children.

shunauto

Discounted metro fares

While I found no evidence of metro fares being free on weekends, there are discounted metro fares for several groups of people.

Houston, Texas

In Houston, Texas, discounted fares are available for:

  • Students (K-12 or college)
  • People with disabilities who aren't METROLift customers
  • People 65-69 years old
  • Veterans
  • Harris County jurors
  • Children 5 years old or younger when accompanied by an adult

The discounted fare is 60 cents for the Local bus, METRORail, METRORapid, or METRO curb2curb. For the Park & Ride commuter express bus service, the discounted fare ranges from $1-4 depending on where you board.

Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., Metro Lift is a program for local customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Eligible customers will receive 50% off Metrobus and Metrorail trips.

Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, California, discounted fares are available for:

  • Senior citizens 62+ years old
  • Medicare recipients
  • Customers with disabilities
  • K-12 and community college students
  • Low-income households (less than $41,400/year)

Senior citizens, Medicare recipients, and customers with disabilities can enjoy up to 80% off regular Metro fares. K-12 and community college students at participating GoPass schools ride for free.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, from June 24 to September 5, 2022, seven downtown Montreal Metro stations were free to ride on weekends and holidays. These stations were: Saint-Laurent, Place-des-Arts, McGill, Peel, Champ-de-Mars, Place-d'Armes, and Berri-UQAM.

In Washington, DC, Metro-operated parking is free on weekends and federal holidays. However, this does not include the cost of riding the metro itself.

Metrolink, which serves the Washington Metropolitan Area, offers a deal where children aged 17 and under can ride for free on the weekends when accompanied by a paying adult.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment