Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 24, 2007

Metro moves closer to relocating bus garage to DC Village

Metro will work with the District of Columbia to acquire 16.5 acres of land at the DC Village in southwest Washington, DC, after receiving approval from the Metro Board of Directors today. Metro will use the land to build a new Metrobus garage and Metro Transit Police training facility.

The deal is pending a plan by the District of Columbia to relocate shelter beds that are at DC Village.

The Metro Board and officials are eager to start plans for the new garage, and “we are all concerned about the welfare of homeless families who currently live in the shelter,” said Metro Board Member Jim Graham.

Metro has been searching for a replacement site for the Southeastern bus garage when the Washington Nationals announced the site of their new ballpark, only a block away from the garage’s current location. The relocation is needed to ensure consistent, safe and reliable bus services, and expand the garage capacity to meet future Metrobus service growth.

“Today’s Board approval moves us a step closer to relocate the bus garage, thus, providing better and safer service to our customers,” said Jack Requa, Metro’s Assistant General Manager for Operations Services.

The Board approval also enables Metro to advertise the first phase of the construction contract and apply for a Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) capital grant.

The FTA recently invited transit authorities to apply for $438 million in discretionary funds available in the current budget year under its Bus and Bus Facilities Program. The replacement of the Southeastern Bus Garage satisfies the FTA priorities and evaluation criteria for a capital grant.

The public hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

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