Riders along the busy 16th Street corridor may notice that “new bus smell” on their commute home as Metro put in service five brand-new 60-foot accordion style articulated buses, replacing some of the oldest vehicles in the fleet.
The new buses are part of a larger order of 21 articulated buses and 274 standard buses that will be put in service over the next year, replacing vehicles that are at the end of their 12-year lifespan.
Metro first began running longer articulated buses along 16th Street NW in 2012 to provide additional capacity for growing ridership.
The new buses have many benefits for riders:
- More reliable: New buses will go thousands of more miles between breakdowns, meaning fewer delays as a result of mechanical problems.
- Improved fuel efficiency: Using a combination of Compressed Natural Gas and diesel-electric hybrid technologies, the fleet of new buses offer up to 30% more fuel efficiency than the vehicles they will replace.
- More comfortable: The new buses feature improved lighting, a more comfortable passenger cabin with high-quality seats, modern seating configuration and high-tech passenger information systems.
- Improved safety features: The new buses meet or exceed the latest safety design standards and feature protective Plexiglass shields for bus operators, along with the latest CCTV technology on board.
“As someone who regularly rides Metrobus, I understand the need to provide more regular and reliable service on this route,” said Ward 1 DC Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau. “These buses will begin to address that need, while we continue our efforts to enhance the infrastructure that is also required to serve the thousands of riders on this route. I look forward to riding these efficient, more reliable buses not only on 16th Street, but also 14thStreet and Georgia Ave.”
The 21 new articulated buses will run on three of Metro’s busy north-south corridors: 16th Street (S-Line), 14thStreet (50-Line), and Georgia Avenue (70-Line). Combined, these routes carry more than 50,000 passengers on a typical weekday.
“The introduction of these new buses demonstrates our commitment to delivering the best commuting experience possible for our riders,” said Jack Requa, Metro interim general manager/CEO. “Riders will immediately notice the difference as soon as they step aboard.”
Further traffic improvements underway
Providing more reliable Metrobus service is one of several efforts being implemented to address transportation needs along these key corridors. Additional traffic improvements are underway by the DC Department of Transportation, including the study of bus lanes on 16th Street and transit signal priority.
“With these ongoing traffic solutions and the addition of new articulated Metrobuses, we continue to work with WMATA to improve transit service for District residents and people who work and visit the nation’s capital,” said DDOT Director Leif A. Dormsjo. “We will continue to work with WMATA to improve transit options for the region.”
