For immediate release: September 7, 2017

Metro proposes changes, seeks public input to streamline bus service and meet ridership demands

Metro is proposing service changes to selected bus routes based on input from customers and local governments, and an analysis of on-time performance, ridership, corridor studies and cost efficiency.

Proposals being considered include plans to restructure service along Columbia Pike in Virginia with additional limited-stop service in Arlington County, extend service on the BWI Airport Express route to Arundel Mills Mall in Maryland, and extend service to accommodate new Wharf development in the District of Columbia.

Customers are encouraged to provide input on the proposed service adjustments. Comments will be provided to Metro's Board of Directors for consideration prior to adopting any service changes. Any Board-approved service changes would begin within the next year.

Customer feedback may be provided through 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2017:

  • Complete an online survey.
  • Fill out a paper survey and drop it in collection boxes located near the faregates at Metrorail stations closest to the impacted routes. There is no need to take multiple surveys.
  • Provide feedback to outreach staff September 6 - September 21, at designated times and locations on-board buses or at Metrorail stations.
  • Attend an open house Tuesday, September 26, 2017, beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by a public hearing from 6 – 7 p.m. Speaker registration is onsite only.
    Metro Headquarters Building
    600 Fifth St. NW
    Washington, DC 20001
    (via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Square)

Service additions, changes or eliminations are proposed for the following routes in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia:

District of Columbia
14th Street: 52, 53, 54, 59
Takoma-Ft Totten-Petworth: 62, 63, 64
Mayfair-Minnesota Ave-Deanwood: U5, U6, U7
H St-Benning Rd: X2, X9
New Wharf Development: 52, 74
Other Service Extensions or Additions: 74, H1, U8
Other Service Reductions or Eliminations: 94, 96, V5
Capitol Heights-Addison Rd Metrorail SmarTrip® Transfer

Maryland
Bethesda-Silver Spring: J1, J2, J3
Georgia Ave: Y2, Y7, Y8
Other Service Modifications: B30, G12, G14, K12
Other Service Reductions: J12
Capitol Heights-Addison Rd Metrorail SmarTrip® Transfer

Virginia
Pentagon City Modifications: 7A, 7F, 22A
Columbia Pike: 16A, 16B, 16G, 16H, 16J, 16K, 16P
Other Service Extensions or Additions: 4B, 11Y, 29K, 29N
Other Service Modifications: Metroway
Other Service Reductions or Eliminations: 4A, 10E, 22B

HOW TO REGISTER TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING – All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to this docket will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and make supporting statements and to offer alternative proposals. Public officials will be allowed five minutes each to make their presentations. All others will be allowed three minutes each. Relinquishing of time by one speaker to another will not be permitted.

There will be no advance registration to speak. Those wishing to provide oral testimony will sign up to speak at the hearing, will be called to testify in the order they sign up, and can sign up to speak at any time prior to the close of the hearing. Elected public officials will be allowed to provide their testimony as soon as feasible after their registration. If you will not be able to stay to provide your testimony orally when your name is called, staff will help you with multiple ways to submit your comments into the public record including the use of a digital recorder to record your oral comments.

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY NOT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING – Testimony may be submitted via a survey, found at www.wmata.com/bus. The survey will open by 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017 and will close on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 9 a.m. You will be asked to respond to questions about the proposals on this docket. The survey will also provide the opportunity to submit freeform comments. This option is in addition to your ability to speak at a public hearing. For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. The survey results, along with mailed written statements and public hearing comments, will be presented to the Board and will be part of the official public hearing record.

Please note all statements are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information provided.
Customers without access to computers or internet, may obtain copies of the dockets in their entirety at area libraries or by request from Metro's Office of the Secretary by calling 202-962-2511.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. If you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

For a detailed description of all proposals, please visit www.wmata.com/bus.