WMATA projects 2013 inauguration half the size of Obama's first swearing-in

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said Thursday that they expect between half a million and 800,000 attendees to use public transportation for President Obama's second inaugural next month.

That's less than half of the 1.5 million riders that used the Metro to attend the president's first inauguration in 2009.

"Metro is planning the same level of transit service it provided during the 2009 Inauguration, although attendance is not expected to reach the historic levels of four years ago," the transit agency said in the report.

The agency said that it will open early on Inauguration Day and stay in service until 2 a.m., later than usual for weekday service. The rail service will operate at a rush-hour pace throughout the day, and riders will be charged rush-hour peak fares during those times.

"In addition to extended service for customers, Metro is staffing a command center throughout Inauguration weekend to coordinate with dozens of local, state and federal agencies to ensure seamless activities, and emergency response if needed," the agency said.

According to WMATA, two Metrorail stations — Smithsonian and Archives-Navy — will be closed on Inauguration Day because of a request from the Secret Service. Other stations near the National Mall may also be configured so riders can either only enter or only exit during peak times.

The transit agency also announced that it had ordered 100,000 commemorative SmarTrip fare cards for Inauguration Day. The passes, which feature an image of President Obama, will offer users unlimited rides throughout the system on January 21, and cost $15.

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