When Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday morning, many people will enjoy an extra hour of sleep. At Metro Transit, though, setting clocks back an hour presents a unique challenge – and some extra work.
To compensate for the time change, rail trips that are scheduled to occur between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, will operate twice – once according to Daylight Savings Time, and again an hour later. Bus trips that depart at 2 a.m. will also operate twice.
When Daylight Savings Time goes back into effect in March and clocks move ahead one hour, some bus and rail trips that depart around 2 a.m. do not operate.
Operators who work during time changes receive special instructions.
Customers who purchase fares between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. gain an extra hour of transfer time when Daylight Savings Time ends and lose an hour of transfer time when Daylight Savings Time begins. Fares can be used for unlimited rides of the same value for up to 2.5 hours.
The U.S. Department of Transportation manages the country’s time zones and each state’s observance of Daylight Savings Time – a tradition rooted in the rail industry.
Want help planning ahead? Contact the Transit Information Center at 612-373-3333.
Have a question you'd like us to answer? Send an e-mail to ridersalmanac@metrotransit.org.