Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 30, 2010
Metro jurisdictions to get enhanced Metrobus service
Routes in Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia targeted for faster, more reliable service in December
Metro will adjust some bus services starting on Dec. 19, bringing two new, direct bus routes from Virginia into the District of Columbia, limited-stop service between Capitol Heights and downtown Washington, and more frequent service between Silver Spring and Bethesda, Md. These service initiatives, which were approved by the Metro Board of Directors in late September, support Metro’s on-going efforts to enhance reliability and increase ridership by maximizing available resources.
The service changes all aim to meet current and future demands for service, reduce redundancy, streamline travel paths and implement new services consistent with regional planning efforts. Metro staff relied on feedback from customers, bus operators and managers, local agency staff, formal studies and public hearings to prepare the service plans.
In the District of Columbia, a new priority corridor service will be established along Benning Road. The X9 will provide peak-period Metrobus Express limited-stop service with 15-minute frequencies between the Capitol Heights Metrorail station and 13th and H streets, NW. Also planned for this corridor is an extension of the X1 to Foggy Bottom Metrorail station. As part of an initiative aimed at improving bus service reliability and travel times, a total of 67 bus stops that are underutilized or that are too close to each other will be eliminated on Metrobus routes 62, 63, G8, U8 and X2. See District of Columiba upcoming timetables.
Virginia customers will have two additional routes offering one-seat service into the District of Columbia. The new 7Y (an extension of the current 7E route) will provide service through the Pentagon and across the Memorial Bridge to Federal Triangle Metrorail station, by way of Constitution Avenue. An extended 16F will originate in Culmore, travel along Columbia Pike to the Pentagon and continue across the 14th Street Bridge to Federal Triangle Metrorail station, by way of Independence Avenue. See Virginia upcoming timetables.
In Maryland, Montgomery County residents will see additional service on the J2 between Silver Spring and Bethesda. In the Greenbelt area, routes will be simplified and shortened to increase schedule adherence, and several routes will have new route numbers. Metro has worked extensively with Prince George’s County, the City of Greenbelt, and area residents to ensure that the Greenbelt-area bus service provided by each company or agency is complementary, improves schedule adherence, overall cost-effectiveness and enhances local connectivity. See Maryland upcoming timetables.
Metro was able to develop the service enhancements with no additional cost to customers by modifying service during times and on routes that are underused, and redirecting service to times and areas requiring additional resources, meeting the agency’s goal of using every resource wisely.
There will be brochures, bus signs and handouts available for customers to explain these service adjustments. Click here to view the bus sign. More detailed information will be available in early December.
News release issued at 12:28 pm, November 30, 2010.