Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 24, 2007

Metro to Reduce Bus Fares on Select Routes in Conjunction With this Summer's South Capitol Street Bridge Closure

Metro is reducing the bus fare on the A9 route from $1.25 to 75 cents, and the express bus fare on the P17, P19 and W13 routes from $3 to $1.25, during the South Capitol Street Bridge construction project this summer. Metro also will temporarily terminate these bus routes at Metrorail stations on the Green Line to help buses and commuters avoid traffic detoured by the bridge closing.

In July and August, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) will conduct a major construction project on the South Capitol Street Bridge resulting in closure of the bridge. All traffic will be detoured to the 11th Street Bridge, which would have resulted in significant delays for Metrobuses along this route.

“Our goal is to keep commuters moving smoothly and safely as we undertake these much-needed improvements to the Douglass Bridge,” said Emeka Moneme, Director of DDOT. “Our great partnership with Metro will help ease some of the burden of the July-August Douglass bridge closure. We encourage motorists who use the bridge every day to strongly consider using public transportation during the closure.”

DDOT has also started a "Bridge Bucks" program to compensate motorists affected by the closure. For more information visit www.ddot.dc.gov.

To maintain reliable service for bus riders, Metro will temporarily terminate the affected bus routes at Metrorail stations east of the Anacostia River to allow Metrobus passengers to transfer to the Green Line.

The A9 (South Capitol Street Line) Metrobus route will terminate at the Anacostia Metrorail station, and the P17, P19 (Oxon Hill-Fort Washington Line) and W13 (Bock Road Line) bus routes will end at the Southern Avenue Metrorail station.

“In the peak periods, we carry almost 2,400 passengers on these bus routes and this proposed service plan will maintain travel times and adjust fares to match the level of service,” said Jim Hughes, Metro’s Director of Operations Support. “Once the bridge is reopened to traffic, the Metrobus routes and fares will return to normal.”

This spring, Metro placed additional rail cars into service on the Green Line to increase capacity and accommodate a growing number of passengers.

Metro will provide details on when the service changes will take effect when the District of Columbia selects an official start date.

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News release issued at 12:00 am, May 24, 2007.