In less than three weeks, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will unveil its Better Bus Network, a comprehensive reconfiguration of the Metrobus system. This overhaul introduces entirely new routes and names, eliminates select bus stops, and adjusts run times, with the intent of providing faster overall service.
Metro has committed to enhanced service frequencies, promising that numerous lines will operate every 12 minutes or less. Meanwhile, medium-frequency lines will run every 20 minutes or less, and low-frequency routes will have a frequency of 30 minutes or less. Lines slower than this will be designated as limited frequency routes.
To assist riders in identifying their new routes, WMATA has developed a user-friendly tool that maps old routes to their new counterparts. While some routes remain unchanged except for a new name, most will experience either minor or significant alterations. Certain old lines will be served by a single new route, others will be split into multiple routes covering sections of the previous paths, and a few lines will be discontinued altogether.
Historically, Metrobus routes have utilized a range of naming conventions, including numbers, letters followed by numbers, or combinations of numbers and letters. Some of these naming patterns date back to streetcars that once operated in D.C. until 1962, while others reflect the names of neighborhoods, streets, or towns. However, the new naming system aims for greater clarity and descriptiveness.
Each route will now start with one of six letters, each corresponding to a specific area within the service region. Furthermore, to make it easier for riders to identify limited-stop or express routes, these will conclusively end with an “X.” For instance, the D10 route will provide regular service along Pennsylvania Avenue, while the D1X will offer express service on the same segment, facilitating quicker travel with fewer stops.
Current measures at bus stops include indicators showing which old routes previously served that location. In the future, these signs will be entirely replaced with permanent ones reflecting the new route names.
WMATA describes this transition as “bus stop consolidation,” informed by an analysis of ridership data and pedestrian safety. Stops located within 660 feet of each other that exhibited low ridership and lacked pedestrian accessibility were scrutinized for potential removal. As a result, riders may need to walk further to access bus service once the changes take effect on June 29. Notifications about discontinuations at specific stops have been in place since February.
Among the notable changes, the new Route 40 will be introduced, while the existing Route 10 will be replaced by the new M12, M42, M44, and M60 Metrobus routes. Additionally, all Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash buses will now operate free of charge for passengers.
In a related development, the following day, the neighboring Prince George’s County public transit system, known as TheBus, will undergo a similar restructuring. This system will also see a new naming convention for all its routes, the discontinuation of select lines, and changes to running times. For further information regarding adjustments to TheBus, riders can explore the resources available here.
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