Metro Competitor Sponsors Metro Late Night Service For Caps Game

WASHINGTON, DC -- First it was Pepco, then the government of Qatar, and now it's ridesharing company Uber that will pay $100,000 to keep Metro trains running an hour after the usual close time of 11:30 p.m. to accommodate Washington Capitals fans for Monday night's tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It's a bit of a strange relationship for both sides, as Uber is a competitor in many ways to Metro, and keeping Metro open an hour later would undoubtedly cost Uber a lot of rides Monday night. But Uber evidently feels the marketing impact will far outstrip one night of lost fares.

"The more fans we have out the better, and the more transportation options the better," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a WMATA statement. "Thank you, Uber, for helping move our city and this series forward."

"We appreciate Uber's support for the Caps and their fans," said D.C. Councilmember and WMATA Board Chair Jack Evans in the statement. "They, like our other sponsors during the playoffs, have made it possible to provide extended Metro service without diverting resources from the regular bus and rail services on which our residents depend."

Tonight is an extra hour of #Metrorail service, sponsored by @Uber. Entrances open during our extra hour & last train times in this release: https://t.co/MEtsUA0rg6 #wmata #CapsBolts #Caps #ALLCAPS #NHLPlayoffs2018 pic.twitter.com/JDZ1l8tiyX
— Metro (@wmata) May 21, 2018

Once again, locals were less than impressed.

"Oh the irony! A rideshare company sponsoring an extra hour of public transportation," tweeted @MethodOfBird.

"Smart move," added @sweetbobby. "Thousands of people will think they can rely on @wmata to get home at a reasonable hour after the game and have their hopes crushed, and will turn to @Uber in the future. Pretty good ROI."

Here is what Metro says about final closing times Monday night:

After Metro's regular closing time, Caps fans can enter the system at three stations: Gallery Place, Metro Center (11th & G street entrance only) or Judiciary Square (F Street entrance only). All other stations will be "exit only."

Monday's last trains from Gallery Place-Chinatown will depart at:

Red Line to Glenmont 12:38 a.m.; to Shady Grove 12:32 a.m.
Green Line to Branch Ave 12:28 a.m.; to Greenbelt 12:48 a.m.
Yellow Line to Huntington 12:19 a.m.

Monday's last Blue, Orange and Silver Line trains from Metro Center will depart at:

Blue Line to Franconia-Springfield 12:28 a.m.; to Largo Town Center 12:27 a.m.
Orange Line to New Carrollton 12:20 a.m.; to Vienna 12:36 a.m.
Silver Line to Largo Town Center 12:27 a.m.; to Wiehle-Reston East 12:21 a.m.