Bus riders urged to raise concerns about route cuts at public hearing
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| WMATA is proposing to eliminate the 3A Metrobus route in Annandale. |
Bus riders unhappy about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s intention to eliminate the 3A bus line through Annandale can raise their concerns at a public hearing hosted by WMATA, Monday, Feb. 24, at the Hilton Arlington at 950 N. Stafford St., Arlington.
There’s an open house at 6 p.m., and the hearing starts at 6:30.
The hearing will address WMATA’s budget proposals for the Metrorail and Metrobus systems, including the elimination of 22 bus routes, changes to dozens of other bus routes, free transfers between bus and rail, restoration of late-night Metrorail service, Metrorail fare increases, and much more. [The Greater Greater Washington blog summarizes the proposed changes.]
The WMATA board is expected to consider public feedback before adopting the FY 2021 Metro budget. Any changes approved by the board would take effect on or around July 1, 2020.
James Walkinshaw, the Braddock representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, says he’s heard from many constituents opposed to the elimination of the 3A and 29W bus lines. “Metro needs to hear from riders if we want to keep those bus lines active,” he says.
The public can submit comments online until 5 p.m. on March 2.
The 3A bus runs between Americana Drive in Annandale and the East Falls Church Metro Station. The 29W runs along Little River Turnpike, starting at Olley Lane in Fairfax, circles around the area by Northern Virginia Community College, then takes the beltway and I-395 to the Pentagon.
Related story: The 3A bus serving Annandale could be eliminated
According to a WUSA news report, Walkinshaw has heard from 29W commuters who said the fare boxes are often covered with a blanket so WMATA is not getting accurate data on ridership.
The article quotes a Metro spokesperson who said Metro uses separate automatic infrared sensors on buses, rather than farebox data, to count passengers.