Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 14, 2008

Metro to begin relocating Metrobuses from Southeast bus garage

To ensure pedestrian safety prior to the start of the baseball season, Metro plans to relocate 114 Metrobuses from its Southeast bus garage and distribute those buses to other garages.

The Southeast garage is located one block from the new ballpark and sits adjacent to the Navy Yard Metrorail station, where a majority of baseball fans are expected to exit and walk to the games.

The decision to reallocate $1.39 million from Metro’s capital budget is necessary as the Southeast bus garage has yet to be sold to generate the needed funds to help relocate the Metrobuses from their current location. As a result, the District of Columbia has proposed to cover all expenses to relocate the Metrobuses to other bus garages throughout the region.

Last fall, Metro found a buyer for its 71-year-old bus garage and employee parking lot, located a block away from the Washington Nationals ballpark. The transit agency’s Board agreed to sell 2.2 acres to the John Akridge Development Company for $69 million, however, the sale is not yet final.

Revenue from the sale will help fund the construction of a new garage, in Washington within the next three years.

Final approval of this expenditure is expected at the full Metro Board of Directors meeting on February 28.



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News release issued at 4:51 pm, February 14, 2008.