Metro adding midday getaway service

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Metrorail will put five extra trains in service and Metrobus will supplement regular bus service at noon. The transit authority anticipates heavier-than-usual ridership at lunchtime today.

Most of the extra service will be in downtown Washington, where many federal employees will be leaving work at midday because of the half-day vacation allowed for Christmas Eve. Metro says it will monitor ridership on all lines and add service as necessary in the early afternoon.