Expected to open in 2027, the Purple Line is an under-construction light-rail line that is set to connect many of the Washington, D.C. suburbs, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, and the University of Maryland, College Park, ultimately spanning 16.2 miles in length. Though intended as a separate transit system from the existing six lines of the D.C. metro system, the line will have connections with metro stations on the Green, Red and Orange lines. Moreover, the Purple Line will span around the perimeter of the city, affording passengers the opportunity to switch between lines without having to go into downtown Washington.
The year 2027 was not the original anticipated completion date—there have been multiple delays ever since construction began in 2017. The first anticipated year of completion was 2022, yet due to budget concerns and COVID-related issues, state officials pushed the year back to 2026. Now, with portions in Prince George’s County finished and 79% of sections in Montgomery County completed, officials expect the line to open on time. Aside from having connections with other existing metro stations, the Purple Line will also connect with Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) commuter rail and Amtrak services at Bethesda, College Park, Silver Spring, and New Carrollton.
The existing metro system has already proved to be convenient for many RM students, thanks to Rockville being in a central location in relation to many other communities in Montgomery County. “Last year, before I could drive, I took the metro home from school every day,” junior Bennett Parisi said. “It was incredibly convenient because there’s a stop within 10 minutes of school and another within 10 minutes of my house, meaning my 90-minute bus ride home only took 40 minutes in total.”
Other students agreed that the metro system was beneficial, even if they did not use it frequently. “I don’t use [the metro] regularly, but I have been there and I do find it extremely convenient,” junior David Huser said.
The metro has also allowed students living near RM to stay after school, without having to worry about school buses and parent rides being the only forms of transportation. “It was great because the metro comes so often, meaning I had the flexibility to go to clubs or the gym after school, then take the metro whenever I wanted rather than having to be at the bus stop at a specific time,” Parisi said.
When asked whether they planned on using the Purple Line in the future, many students agreed that the line will serve as a useful means of transportation. “Yes, I probably will go on it if I get into the University of Maryland (UMD),” Huser said. “Also, my sister is currently at College Park, so the Purple Line would be extremely convenient for me.”
Parisi agreed, saying that it would make hanging out with friends much easier, even if it wouldn’t be a primary form of transportation for him. “I doubt I’ll regularly take the Purple Line because I drive now, but I’m positive I’ll use it relatively often to go places with friends,” he said.
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