At public meetings over the summer and fall, the community gave WMATA lots of feedback about improvements needed to the bus lines serving the Route 1 corridor of Rhode Island and Baltimore Avenues. In the latest public meetings, held earlier this week, WMATA representatives presented a series of possible improvements, and asked for community feedback. The most significant proposed improvements, directly impacting commuters along the corridor by providing direct routes to downtown DC.
One of these options is to create a regular route (82) that runs from Mt. Rainier all the way to Foggy Bottom in DC. Check out the proposed map:
Another option is to create a limited-stop express service from College Park to McPherson Square during rush hours. Check out all of the options at the WMATA Metrobus Studies website.
Even though the public meetings phase is over, WMATA still wants to hear from you – particularly if you weren’t able to make it to the meetings. Take a minute to fill out the most recent WMATA survey to share your opinion about which of the line improvements are most important to you.
After WMATA compiles all of your feedback, they will make final recommendations for changes to the bus routes. At that point, it will be up to the DC Council to provide funding to implement the changes. According to WMATA representative Douglas Stallworth, new routes, such as the proposed 82 extension would cost in the range of $2.5 million for seven days a week service. The limited-stop, rush hour only service option between Mt. Rainier and Franklin Square would cost about $1.2 million and on to College Park at least $1.5 million. Stallworth further noted that the cost figures are estimates based on similar services implemented by the Transit Authority, and final costs for the recommended service improvements will not be available until January 2014.
Both of these routes would have the potential to significantly reduce rush hour traffic and provide much easier transportation options, with reduced transfer and travel times, for everyone along the corridor. Please take a moment to fill out the survey, then let the DC Council and the Mayor know that this is a priority for reducing traffic and improving transportation options for all community members along the RIA corridor.
(Edited 11/16/2013, 1:10 p.m., to reflect corrected cost figures – our apologies for any inconvenience. – FoRIA)
