Heard on the Hill

D.C. Mayor Bowser on the Side of Nats’ Fans

Washingtonians are pushing to #KeepMetroOpen

Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, wants to keep the Metro open late for Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, wants to keep the Metro open late for Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
By Alex Gangitano
Posted October 13, 2016 at 12:28pm

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser wants an exemption process for special events to stop Washington’s Metro rail system from shutting down in the evenings for track work.

“Let me be clear: Eliminating late-night service is bad for our residents and bad for our economy,” Bowser said in a statement released on Thursday.

“To keep our District growing, I am committed to making sure residents and visitors have a safe and reliable transportation system,” she added.

Her comments were sparked by the Metro board’s decision to not stay open late after Game 5 of the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers division series.

[Metro to Nats Fans: You’re Out!]

Bowser tweeted on Thursday with the hashtag #KeepMetroOpen.

While Washingtonians’ hope that their baseball team wins its first-ever playoff series on its home field, they also have to hope they can make it home after the game.

On Wednesday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it will not lift its late-night service moratorium to accommodate fans attending the game.

The game starts at 8:08 p.m. at Nationals Park and playoff games tend to last close to four hours.

Metro said most service will cease by 11:45 p.m. and one southbound train will be available after midnight.

Before Wednesday’s Metro announcement, Bowser was already pushing to keep the rail system open late.