The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) implemented service adjustments Dec. 26 to its Metrobus service to improve reliability on 49 routes across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
The changes include improved frequencies on some routes, bus stop relocations, revised routes and minor schedule changes to most routes of no more than eight minutes.
As part of Metrobus’s routine planning, routes and ridership demand are evaluated daily. While most routes are operating as scheduled, bus leadership continues to brace for COVID-19-related absenteeism due to the current uptick in cases being reported in the region.
WMATA will assume operations of the Cinder Bed Road Bus Facility in Virginia, which had been operated by a contractor, effective with the service changes.
In Virginia, service frequencies will improve for Metrobus customers on Route 7A between Southern Towers and Pentagon during weekday peak periods, with all trips extended to operate the full route during off-peak periods on weekdays and weekends.
More buses will also operate all day, every day on the 16G and 16H between Columbia Pike and Pentagon City. Additionally, service will be extended to East Falls Church Station on the 3Y, while a newly created Route 3F between Farragut Square and East Falls Church Station will operate during peak periods westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon.
In Maryland, full service is being restored to pre-pandemic levels on the Q1, Q4 along Veirs Mill Road. In D.C., schedule adjustments will be made to seven routes, including the 42, 43, H6, H8, M4, U5, U6, W2, W3 and W4, to improve reliability for a better customer experience.
Service will be suspended on Route K9, New Hampshire Ave – MD Limited, with alternate service available on the New Hampshire Avenue-Maryland Line, route K6. WMATA says it intends to reinstate this route in the future.
Suspended routes
Weekday
- District of Columbia: 34, 37, 39, 97, A9, B8, B9, D1, D5, E6*, G9, H1, H3, L1, S1, V1, X1
- Maryland: 87, 89, B29*, B30, C28*, H11, H13, J4, K9, P19
- Virginia: 4A, 7C, 7P, 8S, 8Z*, 10E, 11Y*, 16L, 17H*, 17L, 18G, 21A*, 21D, 22C, 28G*
*Partially replaced by other routes.
Weekend
- District of Columbia: 31
