Fast and Reliable Travel Connections in Your Community
The Purple Line is a vital connection that will knit together diverse communities, facilitate easier commutes, and contribute to a greener environment by encouraging public transit use. The Purple Line offers unique opportunities to connect to key destinations from 21 stations embedded in our community.
The 16-mile light rail line will seamlessly connect Prince George's and Montgomery counties, while offering a direct link to:
- Metrorail: Red (Bethesda and Silver Spring), Green (College Park), and Orange (New Carrollton) Lines
- MARC commuter rail (Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton)
- Amtrak (New Carrollton)
- Local and regional bus networks
There are 11 stations in Prince George’s County and 10 in Montgomery County. As a transit system separate from Metro, the Purple Line will operate mainly in dedicated or exclusive lanes, allowing for fast, reliable transit operations. Most of the alignment will be at the roadway level with short segments elevated or underground.
Station Accessibility & Vehicle Features
Stations features include a platform, shelters, benches, and ticket vending machines. Commuters will be able to access cars with low floors for easy boarding, on-board storage for bicycles, and comfortable, well-lit train cars. Platforms will be larger than a bus stop, but smaller than the size of a Metrorail station, between 140 and 200 feet long. Trains and platforms are ADA accessible.
Light rail vehicles are modern streetcars, powered by overhead electrical wires. Features include:
- Low floors to allow passengers to board without climbing steps
- Quiet operations
- Neighborhood stations convenient for pedestrians and bicyclists
Purple Line light rail vehicles have been designed with special wheel profiles, noise dampening wheel skirts, and other noise reducing measures.
Benefits of the Purple Line
The Purple Line allows commuters of all ages the chance to go across counties to shop, visit, and explore. Slated to open in late 2027, the Purple Line is a vital system that will move people efficiently and sustainably, while improving the quality of life across the region.
Community Benefits
Reliable and rapid east-west travel
Connections to MARC and Amtrak commuter rails, Metro, and local and regional bus routes
Supports community revitalization and transit-oriented development
Provides an environmentally friendly transportation option to help reduce auto-dependent travel
Completes the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, the Green Trail along Wayne Avenue to Sligo Creek trail, and adds a bike path through the University of Maryland Campus. Learn more about biking with the Purple Line.
Environmental Benefits
Less than a third as carbon intensive as travel by car
Similar in carbon intensity to travel by MARC commuter rail and Metrorail
Uses electric power, reducing air emissions into the immediate environment
Minimizes the effects on land and water resources
The Purple Line in Action
The Purple Line is owned by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). Upon revenue service availability (RSA) Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) will operate and maintain the light rail system for 30 years.
MTA is the project lead, in partnership with PLTP and its subcontractors Maryland Transit Solutions and Purple Line Transit Operators. The Purple Line team closely coordinates with a wide range of stakeholders including Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Prince George's and Montgomery counties, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), and local municipalities in the project area.
