New bus network added to Metro’s Trip Planner so customers can plan ahead, explore changes

Bus customers can now plan out future bus trips for June 29 and beyond when the new Metrobus network launches.

Metro has updated its Trip Planner at wmata.com/tripplanner with the updated routes, schedules, and new route names.

Customers wanting to get a preview of what their trips will look like with the new network can go to the website and select certain days to plan a trip.

• For Sunday trips: June 29
• For weekday trips: June 30
• For Saturday trips: July 5

Customers will notice that all bus route names are different and that some routes are adjusted. While most trips can already be planned, Montgomery County’s updated Ride On schedule will be incorporated into the Trip Planner in mid-June. So, if your trip involves a Ride On transfer check back later.

Customers can submit feedback about the Trip Planner to Metro Customer Service at this link and selecting bus and Better Bus Redesign.

Metro completed extensive public outreach over the past two years, engaging more than 45,000 people at 200 in-person events while collecting customer feedback on the proposed changes. While some bus stops are going away, Metro aimed to maximize the bus system for more customers in more places across the region while providing faster trips.

How to use Trip Planner

Customers should visit wmata.com/tripplanner and enter an address or landmark for their origin and destination.

For this hypothetical trip example, we are using 48th and Meade St. NE and the destination of Washington Hospital Center.

Click on “More Options” and select the time to leave as 7:45 a.m. and select June 30th as the date, since we plan to travel on a weekday. Then click “Plan My Trip.”

The trip planner suggests the brand new C63 route, which makes new connections from Deanwood to the shopping center at Fort Lincoln to Brookland Metrorail Station to the Hospital Center.

This route is a 54-minute, one-seat ride that costs $2.25.

Today, that same trip would require two trains and a bus ride, take 67 minutes, and cost $4.15.

Looking ahead

We are 60 days away from the launch of the new network!

Today, Metro is also releasing a communications toolkit for local government and community group partners to share with their constituents. It includes language for newsletters and social media as well as photos and graphics to help explain the upcoming changes.

Metro is also sending in-person teams to do outreach and educate bus customers on the upcoming changes. On-board bus announcements will begin in May to remind customers of the upcoming changes.

On June 29, the new route names, route and schedule changes, and bus stop consolidations go into effect.

About Metro's new bus network

Better Bus is Metro's overarching initiative to improve Metrobus for the region. The new network improves service and connections using the resources we have today. It provides more frequent, consistent bus service between places where people want to go.

Metro started the redesign project in 2022 with the goal of making the bus system easier to use, faster, and more reliable.

Learn more at wmata.com/betterbus.

Customer Service

Metro’s customer service team can assist customers with questions, trip planning, and more via chat, email, phone or our social media channels. Visit the contact page for details.

Customers can call 202-GO-METRO (TTY 202-962-2033). Automated information available 24/7. During periods of high call volume, customers can now request a call back instead of waiting on hold, improving efficiency and providing a more user-friendly customer service experience.

For the latest information, follow Metro on X at @wmata, @metrorailinfo, and @metrobusinfo, and on Bluesky at @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo.bsky.social, and @metrobusinfo.

For service alerts via text or email, sign up for MetroAlerts or visit MetroPulse for real-time service information.