Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC follows the Green Line, in Temple Hills, Maryland, just beyond the District of Columbia border along Southern Avenue SE. It opened on January 13, 2001 and was part of the introduction of the extension of the Green Line into Prince George’s County. The station possesses an island platform with two tracks in an open-cut layout, following the design of some of the newer Metro stations.
The stop offers large-scale commuter parking, with close to 2,000 spaces, including daily and reserved parking. It also has a Kiss & Ride lot, bike racks, and lockers to enable multimodal travel. Bus service is provided by both Metrobus and TheBus (Prince George’s County), with routes to places such as National Harbour. In 2023, it averaged 1,519 weekday passengers, and it is in the middle range of Metro ridership. Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC is a critical transportation point for suburban commuters going into D.C. and its surrounding areas.
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DC Metro Southern MD
The Washington Metro Green Line cuts its way into Southern Maryland with its terminal stops at Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC and Branch Avenue stations, both in Prince George’s County. Opened in 2001, these stations are major commuter stops with major park-and-ride lots and access to Metrobus and local buses, such as trips to National Harbour and Joint Base Andrews. To open up transit more southerly, Maryland is developing the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project—a proposed 18.7-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or Light Rail from Branch Avenue to White Plains in Charles County.
The project will alleviate traffic congestion, accommodate growth in places such as Waldorf and La Plata, and connect Southern Maryland to Metro without adding to the rail system itself. Design and environmental study funding has been made available, with high community interest in enhancing transit alternatives in the area.
Southern Ave Metro DC Schedule
Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC on the Green Line provides regular day-to-day service in both directions, with higher frequency trains during rush hours. It links Southeast D.C. and Prince George’s County with the rest of the Metro system. The station opens ahead of the earliest train and closes after the final one, offering dependable service with real-time information accessible through WMATA’s resources.
Station Hours & Train Times (Green Line, Branch Avenue Direction)
Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC opens 10 minutes before the first departing train. Weekdays (Monday–Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), Branch Avenue-bound trains run as follows:
| Day | First Train Departs | Last Train Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | 6:08 AM | 12:25 AM |
| Friday | 6:08 AM | 2:25 AM |
| Saturday | 6:08 AM | 2:25 AM |
| Sunday | 6:08 AM | 12:25 AM |
Note: A source claims a difference in last departure of 12:26 AM on certain days, but WMATA generally rounds to 12:25 AM.
Service Details
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Line Served: Green Line, southbound to Branch Avenue only. It is the terminal station before the end station at Branch Avenue.
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Headways: Trains operate approximately every ~6 minutes at weekday peak hours, up to approximately 7.5 minutes in the evenings. Weekend frequencies of operation are generally every 8 minutes.
Notes
- The station opens a few minutes before the arrival of the first train to permit passenger entry, though no amenities (i.e. escalators, fare gates) open any sooner.
- For Washington, D.C., trips, inbound Green Line trains follow the outbound first/last train schedule—albeit always verify WMATA’s Trip Planner for precise directional times.
Southern Ave DC Metro Station Parking
Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC supports robust commuter parking options with nearly 2,000 spaces, combines affordable daily rates and monthly reserved spots, and accepts convenient cashless payment methods. Recent improvements to the parking infrastructure further ensure a secure and reliable experience for daily riders. Let me know if you’d like additional info, such as weekend policy, or how reserved parking is set up.
Daily Parking:
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Park & Ride Lot: The Park & Ride lot offers daily parking. Note that there are charges for daily parking.
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Metered Spaces: There are 46 metered spaces available for daily parking as of June 2024. The charge for these spaces is $4.95 for a day’s parking, effective Monday through Friday.
Reserved Parking:
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Availability and Cost: For people who would like to ensure a space, reserved parking is available at the Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC. Reserved parking costs $65 per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC located?
Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC is located just over the D.C. line in Temple Hills, Maryland, on Southern Avenue SE. It’s the initial Maryland stop on the Green Line, accessible to commuters from Southeast D.C. and adjacent suburbs.
2. Is the Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC safe?
Yes, most weekday riders find it safe. Some frequent commuters have reported good experiences, including female commuters who have utilised the station for many years without any problems.
3. Is the station wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC is a fully wheelchair-accessible station. It has elevators and an island platform that accommodates passengers with mobility issues.
4. Which bus routes intersect at Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC?
The station is served by several Metrobus routes, including C15, C29, D10, P93, P94, and P97, as well as TheBus routes P88 and P95. The NH1 also provides a connection to National Harbour.
5. Is overnight or weekend parking permitted for my car?
No. Overnight parking is prohibited at Southern Avenue Metro Station Washington DC. WMATA has this policy, and unauthorised cars will be ticketed or towed. Long-term parking is reserved for specific stations such as Greenbelt or Huntington.