The “Better Bus Network” is hitting MetroBuses on June 29, removing approximately 500 bus stops and renaming all bus routes in the DC Metropolitan Area.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) first major bus overhaul in over 50 years, the Better Bus Network aims to better connect people to where they want to go, provide more frequent and consistent bus service, and prepare the DMV Metro system for longevity.
Around 5% of Metrobus stops are being removed to speed up service but most will remain the same. WMATA said they removed stops “to decrease travel time and increase reliability for customers.” The stops were removed after listening to feedback from riders and careful consideration of several factors including distance from nearby stops, safety, and daily use.
Additionally, since 60% of Metrobus customers are low income and 83% are people of color,
WMATA has cited rearranging bus routes is an attempt to “better serve [DC] communities.”
Currently, WMATA operates around 200 Metrobus routes, while seven other transit providers are in charge of around 250 alternative routes. According to WMATA, developing the system will increase cohesion of routes and increase the efficiency of using different bus routes for travel in the DC area. All routes are being renamed, and the first letter of the bus route now refers to the area it serves: “A” for routes in Arlington/Alexandria, “C” (crosstown) or “D” (downtown) for routes in DC, “F” for routes in Fairfax County and Falls Church, “M” for routes in Montgomery County, “P” for routes in Prince George’s County, and limited-stop routes are indicated by an “X” at the end of their names.
Around 11 bus routes will have direct service to the Tenleytown area, serving the Jackson-Reed community. Feelings about the changes among students are conflicted. Sophomore Luisa Ronnenberg, who lives next to a bus stop, says, “I’m happy that the E4 and M4 are changing… I’m happy it won’t be going right by my house.” On the other hand, sophomore Teddy Metcalfe is irritated about the E4 bus line change, noting that “it’ll be harder for [her] to get to work” and that she “[uses] it to get home from the gym.” Sophomore Emmanual Abera echoed that sentiment saying that “I’m annoyed about it because I’ll have to walk more to get home.”
The lack of communication with Jackson-Reed students and the overall Metro customer base has created confusion about the changes. Ronnenberg says she’s been informed in advance, as “they put up a big sign on the bus stop that says it’s changing soon.” However, many students remain in the dark on the updates to the bus system.