Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 8, 2005

Metro Outlines Future Improvements to the Metrobus System

Today the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board Planning and Development Committee was told how Metro staff intends to use $830 million over the next five years to dramatically improve the Metrobus system.

The comprehensive, multi-year Metrobus Capital Improvement program features new buses for growth and replacement; enhanced customer information features such as arrival information at bus stops; and new and improved Metrobus facilities.

With a fleet of 1,473 buses, serving 350 routes and driving 48 million miles each year, "Metrobus provides a vital link in our regional transportation system," said Richard A. White, Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. "Everyone at Metro is committed to making our bus system a world-class bus service for our customers. In the next few years, our customers will see a new and improved bus system that will provide relief for overcrowding, new buses, integration of our inventory of bus stops with scheduling and Automatic Vehicle Locator technology, and streamlined on-board bus operations."

Some of the improvements that customers will see over the next five years include:

Metrobus Fleet Improvements Include:

Metro will receive 250 of its newest Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses;

Metro will receive 50 hybrid electric buses, up to 117 advanced technology diesel buses, and 50 additional hybrid electric buses;

Metro will conduct an annual mid-life overhaul to 100 Metrobuses.

Metro will purchase 185 new buses as part of the Metro Matters program;

Metro will purchase 241 replacement buses between fiscal years 2009 and 2011.

 

Metrobus Bus Stop Improvements Include:

Installation of site-specific bus maps for on-street bus shelters and replacement maps for Metro-owned shelters;

Replacement and maintenance of 343 bus shelters at Metrorail stations; and 163 bus shelters at street locations;

Installation of up to 6,000 encased bus stop schedule display cases in addition to maintaining existing cases;

Installation of regional bus stop ID labels on all stop flag poles and shelters to be used for region-wide implementation of real time bus information;

Identification of 13 bus priority corridors in the District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia to include transit signal priority and running way improvements and separate passenger facilities including 50 electronic displays for real-time information, from the Regional Bus Study.

Metrobus Onboard Systems Improvements Include:

Providing real-time information to customers that can be accessed initially by telephone, the internet and displays at select high ridership locations;

Installation of a separate reporting system that will store and analyze operations data for management and planning purposes to analyze bus route performance, update and maintain schedules.

Metrobus Maintenance Facilities Include:

Keeping Metrobus facilities in good operating condition to maintain and support the Metrobus fleet;

Enhancing the Bladensbug bus division for maintenance of its CNG fleet and the Carmen E. Turner facility to support Metrobus operations;

Supporting the opening of a second CNG facility at Four Mile Run in Arlington VA;

Constructing a new bus facility in Fairfax, VA, to support expanded Metrobus operations, pending Metro Board approval.

 

News release issued on September 8, 2005.