More than 3 million people have visited the Capitol Visitor Center since it opened 17 months ago, and officials say tours are going more smoothly than they did last year.

In the past, Members complained that new tour schedules and training requirements were curtailing staff-led tours, a long-standing constituent service. While the opening of the CVC has doubled the number of visitors to the Capitol, most go on professionally guided tours that are carefully scheduled. Staff-led tours, meanwhile, have to compete for the same time slots.

The problem is especially apparent during the busy spring months. Tours are currently booked until the end of May.

But CVC spokesman Tom Fontana said officials have been able to accommodate the vast majority of visitors who walk in without reservations, and the same goes for staff-led tours. New initiatives — such as additional tour slots reserved just for Member offices — have “really made a difference,” he said.