Greenbelt station
| Company type | Transit hub |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | December 11, 1993 |
| Headquarters | Greenbelt, Maryland , United States |
Area served | Prince George's County, Maryland and surrounding areas |
| Products | Washington Metro Green Line service, MARC Camden Line service |
Greenbelt station functions as a transit hub for both the Washington Metro and the MARC system in Prince George's County, Maryland. It serves as the northeastern endpoint of the Green Line, while also accommodating MARC's Camden Line on adjacent rail tracks.
Situated at the northwest edge of Greenbelt, close to the communities of Berwyn Heights, Beltsville, and northern College Park, the station is accessible via Cherrywood Lane near the Capital Beltway. It provides commuters with over 3,300 parking spots accessible from both directions of the Beltway, serving local residents and travelers coming from I-95, including those from Baltimore. The station formerly offered a weekday express bus route (B30) operated by Metrobus, connecting to Baltimore–Washington International Airport (BWI); this service was permanently halted due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Greenbelt remains an essential transit node for staff and visitors of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, linked by TheBus route P2X.
Trains traveling between Greenbelt and nearby stations pass by Lake Artemesia, a body of water formed during construction activities. Close to the station lies the Greenbelt Rail Yard, recognized as the largest storage facility within the Metrorail network.
History
Metro operations at Greenbelt commenced on December 11, 1993, coinciding with the inauguration of three other stations in northern Prince George's County. This marked the completion of nearly 8 miles (7.96 miles) of new Green Line track extending northward from in Washington, D.C.. In 1979, the station’s official designation was altered from "Greenbelt Road" to simply "Greenbelt".
During President Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20, 2009, WMATA prioritized parking availability for more than 1,100 charter buses at Greenbelt by limiting private vehicle parking. However, after receiving only 35 bus requests, WMATA reversed this policy and reopened approximately 3,400 parking spaces to individual drivers.
On June 25, 2017, Yellow Line trains ceased stopping at Greenbelt following the discontinuation of Rush+, a significant modification within the Metrorail system. This service was reinstated on May 25, 2019, extending Yellow Line operations from Mount Vernon Square and Fort Totten all the way to Greenbelt throughout all operating hours.
In May 2018, Metro unveiled plans for platform renovations across twenty stations. Greenbelt’s platforms underwent reconstruction from May 29 until September 6, 2021. On April 8, 2021, a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site began operating in the station’s parking area.
Following an eight-month overhaul of the Yellow Line’s Potomac River bridge and tunnel near , service to Greenbelt was truncated on May 7, 2023, making its northeastern terminus . Partial restoration of Yellow Line service to Greenbelt is anticipated by December 2025.
From July 22 through September 4, 2023, Greenbelt station was temporarily closed alongside all other Green Line stations north of , as part of rail system technology upgrades.
Station configuration
The Metro services utilize an island platform, whereas the MARC trains operate from two elevated side platforms. Each platform is equipped to accommodate passengers with disabilities; however, the MARC section remains unstaffed and does not offer additional amenities.