A proposal that would keep the Metro system open until 1 a.m. on weekends, but close it before midnight on other nights, cleared a key hurdle today.

A Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority panel this morning endorsed new Metro operating hours to allow for more repair and maintenance time, NBC Washington reported. The new hours, which still need the support of WMATA’s full board, would go into effect July 1, 2017, and last for two years.

Under the plan, Metro would have service on the Sliver Line and its other lines:

• Mondays to Thursdays from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Fridays from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Sundays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Since SafeTrack repairs began earlier this year, the system has closed at midnight every day and opened at 5 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends. Trains previously operated from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday.

Do you back WMATA’s plan? You can weigh in through the poll and in the comments.

Photo courtesy of Mike Heffner