The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), commonly known as Metro, is a tri-jurisdictional public transit agency serving the Washington metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland. WMATA operates the Metro rail and bus system in the Washington, D.C. area, serving as a major public transit provider. Specifically, it operates the Metrorail rapid transit system, which consists of six color-coded lines spanning over 117 miles of track and 91 stations, connecting key urban centers, suburbs, and employment hubs. Complementing the rail service, Metrobus offers fixed-route bus services with an extensive network covering more than 300 routes, while MetroAccess provides paratransit options for individuals with disabilities, ensuring accessibility across the region.

WMATA was created through an interstate compact signed by the involved jurisdictions in 1967, with operations commencing for rail in 1976 and bus services expanding thereafter. Governed by a board of directors appointed by the federal government, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, the agency plays a critical role in reducing traffic congestion, supporting economic development, and promoting environmental sustainability in one of the nation's most influential metropolitan areas. Funding comes from a mix of fares, federal grants, state and local subsidies, and dedicated taxes, reflecting its public service mandate.

In recent years, WMATA has faced challenges including infrastructure maintenance, safety incidents, and post-pandemic ridership recovery, yet it remains vital to the region's mobility. As of 2024, the system recorded a total ridership of 283,145,700 passengers, averaging about 824,500 weekday riders in the third quarter of 2025, underscoring its enduring importance to commuters, tourists, and daily life in the nation's capital.