Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 6, 2010
Maryland to get enhanced Metrobus service
Route adjustments in Greenbelt will help improve on-time performance
Enhancements to Metrobus service in Maryland beginning on Dec. 19 will result in more streamlined routes for riders in the Greenbelt area and additional service in Montgomery County. These route adjustments are part of Metro’s comprehensive plan to improve service reliability, overall cost-effectiveness and connectivity in the local jurisdictions.
The adjustments will save money by better aligning bus capacity to rider demand and minimizing redundancy between Metrobus and other local transit service by reinvesting savings to provide additional Metrobus service elsewhere.
Key service changes include splitting the R12 between New Carrollton and Deanwood Metrorail stations into two routes (R12 and G12) and adding midday service to the T17 and re-designating that midday service as the new G14. To enhance bus service between Silver Spring and Bethesda, trips will be added to the J2 route to provide additional service where popular buses are operating at capacity. For more details of service adjustments in Maryland, click here. Also see Maryland upcoming timetables.
These changes aim to meet current and future demands for service, reduce redundancy, streamline travel paths and implement new services consistent with regional planning efforts. The changes were approved by the Metro Board of Directors in late September after a comprehensive study of the routes was conducted. That study included meetings with and input from community leaders, public hearings in communities served by the routes, and extensive coordination with Greenbelt officials and transportation agencies that serve the area.
Metro is alerting bus customers of the changes through the distribution of informational brochures, postings on bus windows, interior bus ads, audio bus announcements, metroopensdoors.com website, tweets, news releases, customer call center messages, and installation of signs at select bus stops. Click here to view an electronic copy of the bus card.
News release issued at 11:22 am, December 6, 2010.