Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 10, 2008
Metro hosts public hearing on proposed elimination of Metrobus 98 line
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 19, to receive the public’s input on the proposed elimination of Metrobus route 98, the Adams Morgan-U Street Link service, with that service switching to the DC Circulator.
The public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m., at Metro’s headquarters, 600 5th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. An open house will begin at 6 p.m.
The District Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) notified Metro of its intent to transfer operation of Metrobus route 98 to the DC Circulator effective March 29, 2009. Therefore, it is proposed to discontinue Metrobus service on route 98 so that DDOT can transfer the subsidy to a new DC Circulator route that would serve the Adams Morgan – U Street area. Details of the proposed DC Circulator route are being developed as part of the joint Metro/DDOT neighborhood circulation study.
Metro Board member Jim Graham has been a long-time advocate for the Adams Morgan – U Street Link (Route 98) since it was established in September 1999 to provide a convenient, low-cost transit connection between Metro’s Red and Green lines and the busy commercial and entertainment areas in Adams Morgan and U Street. Route 98 operates the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metrorail station and the U St/African Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metrorail station via Calvert Street, 18th Street and U Street. Service is provided every 10 minutes Sunday to Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday evenings from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. The District of Columbia pays for this service.
All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to this change of service will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and make supporting statements and offer alternative proposals. Individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to be heard at the public hearing are requested to furnish, in writing their name, address, telephone number and organization affiliation, if any, to Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Alternatively, requests to speak may be faxed to 202-962-1133 or e-mailed to public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com. Please submit one speaker’s name per letter and include reference to the hearing number for the hearing at which you wish to speak. Lists of individual speakers will not be accepted. Others present at the hearing may be heard after those persons who have registered have spoken. Public officials will be heard first and will be allowed five minutes each to make their presentations. All other speakers will be allowed three minutes each.
Written statements and exhibits may be submitted until close of business on Wednesday, November 26, to Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Alternatively, individuals may send an e-mail to public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com. Please reference the hearing and/or docket number listed above in the submission.
News release issued at 2:29 pm, November 10, 2008.