For immediate release: December 23, 2021

Metrobus to implement service changes, improve reliability effective Sunday, December 26

Simultaneously braces for COVID-related adjustments to meet customer needs

Beginning Sunday, December 26, Metrobus will make service adjustments to improve reliability on 49 routes across the District, Maryland and Virginia. The changes include improved frequencies on some routes, bus stop relocations, revised routes and minor schedule changes to most routes of no more than eight minutes.

As part of Metrobus’s routine planning, routes and ridership demand are evaluated daily. While the majority of routes are operating as scheduled, bus leadership continues to brace for COVID-related absenteeism due to the current uptick in cases being reported in the region.

Metro will assume operations of the Cinder Bed Road Bus Facility in Virginia, which had been operated by a contractor, effective with the service changes.

In Virginia, service frequencies will improve for Metrobus customers on Route 7A between Southern Towers and Pentagon during weekday peak periods, with all trips extended to operate the full route during off-peak periods on weekdays and weekends.

More buses will also operate all day, every day on the 16G and 16H between Columbia Pike and Pentagon City. Additionally, service will be extended to East Falls Church Station on the 3Y, while a newly created Route 3F between Farragut Square and East Falls Church Station will operate during peak periods westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon.

In Maryland, full service is being restored to pre-pandemic levels on the Q1, Q4 along Veirs Mill Road and in the District schedule adjustments will be made to seven routes - 42, 43, H6, H8, M4, U5, U6, W2, W3 and W4 – to improve reliability for a better customers experience.

Service will be suspended on Route K9, New Hampshire Ave – MD Limited, with alternate service available on the New Hampshire Avenue-Maryland Line, route K6. Metro intends to reinstate this route in the future. The following routes will also remain suspended:

Weekday
DC: 34, 37, 39, 97, A9, B8, B9, D1, D5, E6*, G9, H1, H3, L1, S1, V1, X1
MD: 87, 89, B29*, B30, C28*, H11, H13, J4, K9, P19
VA: 4A, 7C, 7P, 8S, 8Z*, 10E, 11Y*, 16L, 17H*, 17L, 18G, 21A*, 21D, 22C, 28G*
*Partially replaced by other routes.

Weekend
DC: 31

View the December 2021 Metrobus Service Changes advisory for a detailed list of routes and scheduled service adjustments. The changes are part of routine adjustments based on ridership demand, on-time performance and other metrics to modify frequencies and improve reliability.

Additionally, Metrobus will notify customers of pandemic-related impacts to service.

Customers are also encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts text and email messages to receive the latest service information and updates, follow @MetrobusInfo on Twitter or check the Status & Alerts page at wmata.com.