Metro News Release

For immediate release: August 11, 2004

Public hearing set on proposed elimination of Metrobus route W17

A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 13, at the Jaycee Oxon Hill Community Center, 6907 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, MD, on the proposed elimination of Metrobus service on Route W17 with partial replacement and rerouting on routes W13, W14 and W15 in the Indian Head Highway Corridor in Maryland. The hearing is being hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Prince George’s County. An analysis of ridership data taken since the extension of Green Line Metrorail service to Branch Avenue Station and its subsequent changes to Metrobus service indicates that the current Metrobus route configuration in the Indian Head Highway corridor does not match the actual travel patterns and levels of passenger demand. WMATA staff, in conjunction with Prince George’s County staff, developed a service plan that would adapt service levels to ridership patterns and improve productivity. These changes include:" The elimination of local service on Route W17 between Accokeek and the Southern Avenue Metrorail station. The segment between Fort Washington Forest and Friendly would be served by an extension of express Route W13. South of Fort Washington Forest express Route W19 is available at the Accokeek Village Park & Ride;" Route W13 and W14 trips would be diverted via the Oxon Hill Park & Ride Lot, supplementing P17 and P19 service, and rerouted via the Apple Grove, Rosedale and Ramsgate communities;" Route W15 would not serve the Eastover Park & Ride Lot or operate via the service roadway of Indian Head Highway near the former ABC Drive-In. The frequency of service would be reduced from every 20 minutes to every 25 minutes;" Morning service on the W19 would be increased from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes to absorb current W17 riders who now board between Accokeek and Fort Washington Forest;" One additional P17 and one additional W13 trip would be added at the end of the evening rush; and" Routes P17, P18, P19, W13 and W14 service would be consolidated into a single line so that patrons who could ride more than one route would need only one timetable. Anyone who wishes to speak at the hearing should furnish in writing their name, address, telephone number and organization affiliation (if any) referencing hearing number 514 and Docket Number B04-6 to Mr. Harold Bartlett, Secretary, WMATA, 600 Fifth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 or fax it to him at 202-962-1133. Only one speaker’s name per letter is accepted. Written statements will be accepted until the close of business on September 20 at the above address or via e-mail at public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com, please refer to hearing number 514 and Docket Number B04-6. ###

News release issued on August 11, 2004.