What you need to know for Inauguration weekend

November 24, 2:18 PMDC Transportation ExaminerKatherine M. Hill

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Have tickets for Inauguration Day? You better, or the hassle of going downtown may be a waste. No tickets? I suggest a getaway (provided you have the day off or vacation time of course).

If you plan to brave the masses here's what to know:

• Metro will run trains on "rush hour service" from 4 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Stations will have free parking; there will be no reserved parking and Metro estimates its 59,000 spaces will fill.
• Stations will stay open late, closing at 2 a.m.
• Metro is designing a commemorative one-trip fare card and SmartTrip card ($10) for the event, available in January.
• And for security reasons (via Metro press release):

  The U.S. Secret Service has deemed the Inauguration as a special national security event and due to security measures, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metrorail station on Metro’s Green and Yellow Lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20. In addition one of two entrances to the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Lines will also be closed. The Smithsonian station entrance on the National Mall will be closed. The Independence Ave SW entrance will remain open.

• Metrobus will operate on a Saturday schedule. Expect delays as routes navigate through detours for closed roads.
• Metro set up a website to help riders at www.wmata.com/inauguration

I'll doubt I'll be able to work that day, but if I am able to return in January I expect many tears negotiating stairs and buses among the tourists is a wheelchair. (Any suggestions?)