Archive for September 2nd, 2013

Major changes proposed for Route 5A to Dulles Airport

September 2nd, 2013 14 comments

As part of the opening of Phase 1 of the Silver Line, the District Department of Transportation has requested that Metro investigate the possibility of discontinuing Route 5A which currently serves Dulles Airport via L’Enfant Plaza, Rosslyn, and Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride.   Under this proposal, the 5A would be discontinued in June, 2014 (several months after the Silver Line opens).  Passengers wishing to travel to Dulles Airport would be able to take the Silver Line to the Wiehle-Reston East station and then transfer to the Fairfax Connector 981 bus.

  • Travel times on the 5A currently range between 50 and 65 minutes from L’Enfant Plaza to Dulles and 45 to 70 minutes between Dulles and L’Enfant Plaza.
  • Travel time on the Silver Line between L’Enfant Plaza and Wiehle-Reston East is anticipated to be approximately 45 minutes.
  • The Fairfax Connector 981 will run every 20 minutes weekdays and Saturdays and every 40 minutes on Sundays.
  • The current fare on the 5A is $6.00.  For passengers taking the Silver Line from stations east of Foggy Bottom, the fare to Wiehle-Reston East will be $5.75 plus a $1.10 transfer fare on the Fairfax Connector.  (Fares are based on use of a SmarTrip card.)

In addition to the option above, Metro is also considering the following options:

Option 2 – Shorten the 5A to run between Dulles Airport and Wiehle-Reston East station

Option 3 – Only operate Route 5A before opening and after closing of Metrorail service on weekdays and/or weekends

The maps below illustrates the changes proposed. Please review and let us know what you think.  We will also be presenting these options at our upcoming public hearings.

Rt_5A_Map

Map illustrating proposed changes to Route 5A. Click image for larger version.

 

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