Metro aims to open the long-awaited Silver Line extension this year but the agency’s meager pandemic ridership, triggered in large part by the move to remote work, begs the question: who’s going to ride it?

Why it matters: A failure to attract riders to the $3 billion Silver Line project would further worsen the agency's budgetary woes — current estimates predict a $185 million budget deficit next fiscal year.

Catch up quick: The extension adds six stations that span 11.4 miles from Ashburn to Reston Town Center starting after Wiehle-Reston. Dulles will be the third-to-last stop on the line.  

What’s happening: Axios' analysis of Metrorail ridership data shows that generally stations toward the end of the line, particularly those in the NoVa suburbs, have been slower to rebound than stations in other parts of the area. 

• The current last four Silver Line stations from Wiehle-Reston East to Tysons Corner have each reached about 32% of 2019 ridership levels.
• For comparison, Glenmont at the end of the Red line has reached 41% of pre-pandemic ridership. West Hyattsville, the fourth-to-last stop on the Green Line toward Greenbelt, has reached 52%.

Zoom in: The Silver Line extension has multiple factors in its favor, including the rapidly growing Tysons area. Plus, riders will for the first time have access to Dulles using Metrorail. 

Whether or not it’s successful in the short term, Senior Brookings Metro fellow Adie Tomer says he’s confident that the Silver Line extension will be successful in the long run. “Having rail service and having long-distance travel alternatives is vitally important,” he tells Axios.

What we're watching: The Silver Line could be further delayed. Without the return of more 7000-series cars, new Metro CEO Randy Clarke says the agency would either have to wait to open the new stations on that line or reduce service.

Read the full story.

Most Metrorail lines will run every 15 minutes this weekend, which feels a bit like a return to normal given recent troubles, per DCist.

Yes, but: The Yellow Line is out of service until May. Some Blue Line stations are closed through Oct. 22.

Elsewhere, you can largely expect 15-minute headways or better.

• Even on the Red Line, which is single-tracking between Silver Spring and Forest Glen.

D.C. homeowners behind on their mortgage are at risk of foreclosure, as the deadline to apply for a federally funded mortgage relief program approaches on Sept. 30. Activists want an extension, as the money has been slow to roll out, and many homeowners don’t know about the fund. (Washington City Paper)

Glenn Youngkin is stumping for Republicans across the country. The Virginia governor is “straddling the GOP’s ‘big lie’ divide,” boosting both election deniers and those who resisted Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. (Washington Post)

Maryland may add a new area code “227” as early as next year, as phone numbers for area codes “301” and “240” are running low. (Washington Post)

The long-anticipated split of the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is days away, and one in four jobs remains unfilled at the new Department of Buildings. (Washington Business Journal)

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and to kick off #Visionarios2022, Axios Latino partnered with Argentine American artist Cecilia Lueza to produce a mural at La Cosecha at Union Market.

• The piece celebrates Latin culture through the use of indigenous wildlife and vibrant abstraction.

Plus, join Axios today at 6pm via livestream for an interactive discussion exploring the future of the Latino experience.

💼 Check out who’s hiring now.

1. Executive Assistant Coordinator at Hawthorne Lane.
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👋🏻 Hey, it’s Chelsea.

My absolute favorite autumn activity is leaf-peeping along Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive — just like everyone else, meaning crowded views and long lines.

Here’s how to cruise with ease:

Get your pass early: You can order an entrance pass online and skip the line to purchase on location. Tickets for cars are $30, and individuals walking or biking pay $15.

Arrive early: The drive is a little over two-and-a-half hours if you leave from D.C. Hitting the road as early as possible is the way to go.

• If you leave under the cover of darkness at around 4 or 5am, you'll arrive to a relatively quiet, empty park just as the sun is rising, burning off mist and revealing a stunning array of orange, red, and yellow leaves.

Where to enter: The drive has multiple entrances but entering at Mile 0 at Front Royal is easiest from D.C.

• Visit Main Street Daily Grind in Front Royal for a hot cup of coffee first.

When it’s time to head home, you can turn around or exit at Thornton Gap about 30 miles in, which puts you in Luray, Virginia.

• You can always go further to Elkton or the northern entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway.

Happy leaf peeping!

You heard it here first! Starting next week, Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken will serve up Stranger Things-themed treats.

• Upside Down: Chocolate cake with a grey cinnamon-honey glaze, Oreo cookie crumbles, and black sugar, served upside down.
• Breakfast for Eleven: Yeasted circle doughnut topped with a maple glaze, chopped bacon, and a mini Eggo waffle. 
• Holly Jolly: Yeasted circle doughnut topped with a vanilla glaze and decorated with chocolate string icing and mini M&Ms to look like Joyce Byers’ Christmas light communication. 
• Demogorgon: Yeasted square doughnut filled with raspberry jam and topped with a red apple cider glaze, white nonpareils, chocolate buttercream, and a Demogorgon made from fresh strawberries. 

They’re available for preorder starting today. Stay tuned for Halloween treats that are coming soon.