Metro to reimagine bus system
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is undertaking a major effort to reimagine the Metrobus system.
Better Bus is “a new initiative to rethink, redesign, and revitalize bus service,” WMATA says.
Metro is hosting events around the region to gather customer feedback on bus service. One of those events is scheduled for Nov. 5, 1-5 p.m., at the H-Mart at Heritage Mall in Annandale.
Customers are also urged to take the online Better Bus survey. Respondents are automatically entered in a drawing for a $52 SmarTrip card.
“We need to hear from as many customers as possible about the kind of service they want,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke.
“I encourage the region to join us at events, take the survey, and stay engaged along the way whether you take the bus every day, have ridden the bus a few times before, or want to ride the bus but don’t,” said Clarke.
WMATA says the Better Bus initiative “is just the beginning of a reimagined Metro that better serves the needs of customers, including the transition to zero-emission buses, construction of all-electric bus garages, priority bus lanes and signals, bus stop and shelter improvements, and ensures equity of service across communities.”
Better Bus is the first holistic redesign of the Metrobus network, which will mark its 50th anniversary in February. The redesign will work toward a bus network that is easier for customers to use and understand and better aligned with where and when people want to travel.
The initiative will provide the opportunity to reassess regional travel patterns and create a more equitable transit network that serves communities, such as the needs of essential workers. This includes coordinating service with bus priority investments, such as bus lanes and transit signal priority, across the region.
7 responses to “Metro to reimagine bus system”
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Whatever – WMATA needs to be sold to a private bidder…, or just abolished…
Oh yes, privatize mass transit. THAT will certainly make things great. You must be excited for higher prices, fewer stops fewer services
From the pentagon to sleepy hollow road my bus made 49 stops. No one getting on the bus had enough on their card, so we sat and waited while fare was added and then subtracted for the ride. Riders tried to use crumpled up dollar bills furthering the wait. In Baku, Azerbaijan, all fare transactions were handled at KIOSKS at the bus stop BEFORE boarding. All passengers exited through the rear of the bus; on metro buses it’s like doing the Virginia reel. My bus stop, going and coming has no shelter. I stand on a grassy knoll when getting off and eastbound requires climbing over a guard rail, 4 lanes of traffic, and the only shelter is a pine tree.
So Vincent, if I understand your comment you are complementing WMARTA on the excellent service (especially the patience and kindness of WMATA bus operators in collecting fares) it provides its clients, and requesting WMARTA to keep up the good work.
Am I right?
No. He’s saying that even the cavemen in eastern Transcaucasia have more etiquette than the knuckle draggers who ride the bus in our neighborhood. Adding insult to injury, the infrastructure surrounding his bus stop is unsafe despite our high taxes.
Excuse me Trunk, but you must be off your meds, or just an ignorant individual with no social skills.
Who do you think you are calling “Knuckle Draggers”? Clearly, these individuals have more intelligence and sense then you do.
How do you expect the clients of WMATA in our neighborhood to pay for the bus service using Kiosks like they do in Baku when there are no Kiosks for them too use???
More to the point, you and Vincent appear to think you are better than your neighbors, but by the way you present yourselves that is not the case.
Thank you Susie.