Metro To Remain Open During Government Shutdown

The federal government could be closing its doors, but Metro is keeping doors on trains and buses open to commuters, whether or not they have a job to go to.

The regional transit agency announced this morning that it will continue its usual weekday service during the shutdown, which would start in time for tomorrow's morning rush.

"Metro is not a federal entity and would remain open during any government shutdown. Trains and buses will operate on regular schedules, and the system will open and close at regular times," the agency says in a release.

If the shutdown extends into later this week, Metro says that it will consider making changes to service to account for lower ridership.

"In the event of a shutdown lasting several days that results in significantly lower ridership, we may eventually make adjustments to 'right size' capacity if necessary. For example, we may operate more 6-car trains and fewer 8-car trains, because 8-car trains might not be necessary. We will communicate these changes publicly if any such decision is made," it says.

An extended shutdown could wreak havoc on the agency's finances, though. In a recent report, the agency said that a federal government closure during the 2012 Christmas holidays and the impact of Hurricane Sandy ate into expected revenues.