Potomac-area commuters hoping to ride the Purple Line into Bethesda by the end of 2027 may need to wait a few extra months.

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) officials told the Montgomery County Council's Transportation and Environment Committee on Monday, Oct. 5, that the light rail line's opening date remains "dynamic," even as construction reaches 92% completion, as first reported by Maryland Matters.

The 16-mile, 21-stop line will run from New Carrollton to Bethesda. At the Bethesda Metro station, it will connect to the Red Line through a new mezzanine, lobby and six elevators built during the summer 2026 Red Line closure.

Ray Biggs, an MTA official working on the Purple Line, told committee Chair Evan Glass that the contractual opening date remains Dec. 30, 2027. But Glass pressed him on whether April 2028 is more realistic.

"That can go either way, but as we get closer and closer, that date will become more sure and will become more aligned among all the partners," Biggs said, explaining the final date hinges on safety testing results.

Four entities share responsibility for the project: the MTA, Purple Line Transit Partners, Maryland Transit Solutions and the Purple Line Transit Operators.

Fares and payment

Biggs said the Purple Line will accept SmarTrip cards, CharmPass and cash. Officials also hope to offer a tap-and-go mobile payment system, similar to what WMATA uses, by the time the line opens. That feature is not yet confirmed.

Capital Crescent Trail progress

The Capital Crescent Trail, a route popular with Potomac cyclists and pedestrians, is 74% complete. The segment from Elm Street to Connecticut Avenue is expected to open by spring 2027, according to the committee presentation.

Delays and cost increases

Construction began in 2017. The line was originally supposed to open in 2022, but litigation, cost overruns and the COVID-19 pandemic forced repeated delays, according to The Banner. The original design-builder left the project in 2020. Maryland Transit Solutions took over construction in 2022. The project's total cost, including its operations contract, is now estimated to exceed $9 billion, up from the original $5.6 billion agreement in 2016.

WMATA does not expect future Red Line service disruptions related to Purple Line construction at the Bethesda station, Bethesda Magazine reported.

Biggs said residents can follow @PurpleLineMD on social media for project updates. No date for the committee's next Purple Line oversight hearing has been announced.