Northern Bus Garage Frequently Asked Questions

What buses will operate out of the rebuilt Northern Bus Garage?

Approximately 150 buses will operate out of the new facility and will be a mix of clean diesel and hybrid-electric vehicles. This reduces the overall number of buses served at Northern Bus Garage from 175 to 150. The number of articulated buses will change from 20 to 75, providing additional capacity for the northern routes along Georgia Avenue, 16th Street, and Military road, serving over 40,000 riders. Metro will also install the infrastructure needed to house a future electric bus fleet.

What is a “Clean Diesel” bus?

“Clean diesel” is a type of diesel fuel that is highly refined to improved combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. The term is often used interchangeably with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Clean diesel buses result in lower particulate emissions and has 97% less sulfur. This ultra-low sulfur diesel, in addition to exhaust treatment devices, cuts particulate emissions substantially.

What is a “Hybrid-Electric” bus?

A hybrid-electric bus is powered by an electric motor, and a smaller than normal conventional internal combustion engine. To achieve heightened efficiency, the battery-powered electric motor allows the combustion engine to operate at periods of maximum efficiency. The major components of a hybrid drive system include an internal combustion engine (ICE), a generator, a battery pack, and an electric motor. Ultra-low sulfur diesel (clean diesel) is the most common fuel used to power the combustion engine in hybrid-electric buses.

How do the buses planned for the new facility compare environmentally with the rest of Metro’s bus fleet?

Metro’s bus fleet includes clean diesel, hybrid-electric, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles. When Northern Bus Garage re-opens, it will house a fleet of Clean Diesel and Hybrid-Electric buses. Metro currently has a sustained bus procurement program to replace and retire 100 buses a year, with all replacement buses mandated to meet the EPA regulations for emissions standards.

What is Metro’s plan for adding electric buses to its fleet?

Metro’s multi-phase plan for adding electric buses involves infrastructure planning and analysis, building the electric fleet and supportive infrastructure, and rolling out a pilot fleet. Metro is currently in the procurement process before building the fleet. The transition to zero-emission bus service requires significant regional investment and coordination. Metro is committed to working with regional partners to address these challenges and provide a more sustainable transportation future. For more information, please visit https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/sustainability/Zero-Emission-Bus-Update.cfm

Where will the buses enter and exit the new facility?

When the new bus garage opens, buses will enter the garage on Buchanan Street, NW and exit onto 14th Street, NW.

Why does Metro need a bus garage in the middle of a busy urban area?

Not only has the Northern Bus Garage been at its 14th Street, NW location since 1906, the current site is still the best location for Metro to serve multiple high ridership corridors, allowing local buses to receive fast support responses for maintenance and operations concerns, as well as reduce the distance buses travel to begin their routes in the morning and park at night without carrying any passengers (known as deadhead mileage).

When is the construction planned to start and how long is it projected to take?

Demolition is scheduled to begin in winter 2020, with construction beginning in winter 2021 and continuing for approximately three years.

What are the construction hours for the project?

The construction hours will comply with regulations established by the District of Columbia, which allows construction activities Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. without any special permits. It is anticipated that work at the Northern Bus Garage site may be completed as early as 4 p.m. each day. The construction team will obtain permits from the District for any work required on Sundays or holidays.

During construction, do you anticipate any impact on current Metrobus service?

No, bus service will not be affected.

What will happen to the bus fleet while the facility is out of use?

The garage is currently closed, and the bus fleet has been distributed to other Metro bus garages.

Will the building’s structural issues have an impact on construction and redevelopment plans?

No, the existing condition of the building will not limit or impact the redevelopment plans. The existing structure will be demolished, except for historic elements, such as the façade, which will be saved and refurbished.

How will Metro address pedestrian safety during construction?

Some sidewalks in the vicinity of the garage may be closed. However, the site will maintain protected pedestrian pathways during construction.

What environmental studies will be done to understand the extent of contamination from underground fuel tanks and maintenance operations?

Clark Construction, the contractor, is conducting a survey of soil and water in the garage that will characterize the nature and extent of contamination. This information will be used to ensure that the site is remediated properly and that materials removed from the site are managed properly. Metro is coordinating with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).

What cleanup efforts will occur ahead of the rebuild?

The specific “how” and “when” of any cleanup efforts will be determined upon completion of the environmental investigation.

Will sufficient parking for bus facility employees be included in the redevelopment plan?

Yes, the new bus facility will include parking to meet the needs of Metro employees.

Will community/business owner parking be included in the redevelopment plan to support the businesses along 14th Street, NW?

The redevelopment plan will include parking for Metro employees and employees of the retail tenants in the new bus garage. However, the project cannot provide parking for other businesses along this part of 14th Street, NW. This project will not permanently remove existing street parking that is currently situated along 14th Street, NW.

Will parking along 14th Street, NW be lost during construction?

Some parking spaces may be temporarily unavailable due to construction requirements.

Where will the contractors park during construction?

Metro’s contractors will be required to identify off-site parking for employees, which might include shuttling employees to the site.

Will Decatur Street, NW reopen to local traffic?

No, the street will remain closed after the project is completed.

What commercial development is planned for the street level? What businesses might be appropriate to occupy the commercial spaces?

Metro has hired Streetsense, a retail strategy firm, to determine what types of tenants Metro could attract and that would be compatible with the neighborhood. Based on Streetsense’s recommendations, Metro will pursue neighborhood-serving retail (ex. small format grocer, drug store, coffee shop, fitness/gym, restaurants, gift stores), as well as reach out to not-for-profits if Metro is not able to secure retail tenants. The commercial space will be one-story.

How will Metro keep the community informed about the project?

Since the beginning of 2019, Metro and the developer have hosted five community meetings to inform residents of the scope and progress of the Northern Bus Garage project. As the project progresses, updates will be shared with the community through the website, email listserv, local community and ANC meetings and signage around the site. Those interested in updates about the project and notice for upcoming meetings are encouraged to sign up for the email listserv.

Will the community have any opportunity to interface with Metro while design decisions are being made?

The D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) will have a significant role in approving design of the project because of the historic façade of the existing building. The HPRB review process is open to the public and provides the community an opportunity to comment on the design of the project. In addition, Metro will share design progress during its quarterly project meetings.