Metrobus is Collecting Your Input for Annual Bus Service Adjustments
Time is running out to provide your input on proposed Metrobus changes.
Every year, Metrobus planners propose service changes to maintain a Bus State of Good Operations (SOGO). This year’s official public participation period went live on Saturday, August 15 and will close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 23. That’s less than two weeks away!
Halfway through the public comment period, we thought we would give you sense of the process so far.
- More than 3,000 online surveys have been completed. Two-thirds of these returns are from direct email outreach to customers using affected routes. If you are interested in receiving invitations to similar online surveys in the future, please register your SmarTrip card.
Bus SOGO outreach 2015
- With more than 20 outreach events completed or scheduled, we are collecting feedback by going straight to the customer. Metro staff is out riding buses and showing up at bus stops and rail stations. We understand not everyone can go online so we are coming to them. Look for us and help us improve your bus experience.
- These outreach activities have resulted in more than 2,000 written comments from customers all over the region.
- At the time of this writing, the elimination of the 5A is not being well received nor is the elimination of the segment between McPherson Square and Kennedy Center on the Route 80. Many in the District are giving favorable marks to the free transfer between Capitol Heights/Addison Road Metrorail stations for select routes. Maryland customers are also excited for the Q Line free transfer to and from the Metrorail Red Line between Wheaton and Silver Spring.
- In addition to English-language replies, we have received completed surveys from Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic speakers. Customers from all economic and ethnic groups are chiming in as well.
We want to hear more from our customers to see how these changes would affect your travel choices. Let us know how major service changes would impact you. Join the conversation by reading the official docket and submitting your thoughts online or in person.
-Email your comments to writtentestimony@wmata.com
-Talk to Metro staff at a pop-up event
–Take an online survey
-Attend the public hearing on Thursday, September 17 at WMATA HQ (600 5th St NW, Washington, DC 20001).
Scarse transit resources should not be wasted on duplicative Metrobus 5A service. Route 5A should continue running three very early AM and late PM trips before Metrorail opens and after rail closes, but other wise the route is wasting scarce resources. The service operating during the time the Silver Line is running is taking funding away from routes where this is no other alternative. I agree with Maryland not wanting to pay for the route. If DC wants to fund it, fine, but not the region.
Nathan, I disagree.
To get from L’Enfant today either get on the 5A and 3 stops later you’re dropped at the curb at Dulles. The alternative is to hop on the Silver Line and 17 stops later you’re dropped at Wiehle, where you have to catch a bus to the airport. That’s not much of an alternative. Until that 1-seat ride is possible, don’t cut the 5A during Metrorail hours.
I will summarize here why I believe the 5A should not be cancelled, some points of which were mentioned above.
1) The only one-seat ride from DC to Dulles (for now). Yes, you can transfer at Wiehle to either the $5 express bus ($10.90 total fare one-way during rush hour vs. $7 5A) or the circuitous and long FC 981 or 983.
2) 5A service is great to have at times when Metro is delayed, single tracking, or has a service interruption, which is all too frequent. People going to IAD are much more time sensitive than your average rider, and having that service readily available is necessary.
3) The ONLY way to reverse commute to Herndon/Reston with a bike during rush hour.
4) I ride this bus every day in the reverse commute direction and it is at least half full every single day (almost totally full on Mondays or Fridays). Don’t underestimate the desirability of the one-seat ride.