Metro’s first major overhaul of its bus network in decades is set to take effect this coming Sunday (June 29).
Approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors last November, the Better Bus Network redesign will introduce revised routes and new signage, while also eliminating a number of stops.
“This is a historic moment for Metro and our region,” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said in a press release. “The new network reflects years of community input and careful planning to create a bus system that’s more reliable, more accessible, and ready for the future. We’re thrilled to roll out these changes on June 29, delivering a better ride for our customers and a stronger connection for our region.”
The first Metrobus overhaul since 1973 started rolling out earlier this year with the introduction of approximately 7,000 new signs, starting in Fairfax County.
To better reflect the areas they serve, routes in Fairfax County, Falls Church and Fairfax City will now be designated with an “F.” Meanwhile, Arlington and Alexandria get an “A,” and D.C. routes are “C” or “D,” depending on whether they cross the District or are concentrated in the downtown area.
Metro is also revising several routes:
- A11: Huntington-Pentagon (comparable to the current 10A)
- F19: Mount Vernon to Potomac Park in D.C. (comparable to 11Y)
- F1X: Richmond Highway Express (comparable to REX)
- F20: Leesburg Pike goes from Tysons to Alexandria (comparable to 28A)
- F23: Little River Turnpike-George Mason goes from GMU’s Fairfax campus to Alexandria (comparable to 29K)
- F24: Little River Turnpike-Vienna goes to Alexandria (comparable to 29N)
- F26: Annandale-Seven Corners goes to the East Falls Church Metro station (comparable to 26A)
- F28: Kings Park West goes to the Pentagon Metro station (comparable to 17K, 17G and 17B)
- F29: Braddock Road goes from GMU to the Pentagon Metro (comparable to 17K, 17G and 17B)
- F44: Columbia Pike-Pentagon (comparable to 16A)
- F50: Washington Blvd goes from GMU to Ballston (comparable to 2A and 2B)
- F60: Arlington Blvd-Fair Oaks (comparable to 1A, 1B and 1C)
- F61: Arlington Blvd-Jermantown Road (comparable to 1A, 1B and 2B)
- F62: Pershing Drive-Arlington Blvd goes from Dunn Loring to Rosslyn (comparable to 1B and 4B)
- F81: Burke Centre (comparable to 18P and 18J)
- F83: Cardinal Forest goes from Huntsman Square Shopping Center in South Run to the Pentagon Metro (comparable to 18G)
- F85: Little River Turnpike-Pentagon (comparable to 29G)
As part of the redesign, WMATA will eliminate approximately 500 bus stops systemwide, including about 60 stops in Virginia, in an effort to “improve speed and reliability,” according to the press release.
“Metro’s new modernized bus network is designed to bring much-needed service to previously underserved areas and uphold Metro’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and world-class transit service to our region,” Metro Board Chair Valerie Santos said in the press release.
A full list of the dropped Fairfax stops is below:
Annandale
- Little River Turnpike and Columbia Pike
- Little River Turnpike and High Place
- Little River Turnpike and John Marr Drive
- Little River Turnpike and Wedgewood Drive
- Little River Turnpike and Pineland Street
- Columbia Pike and Bennett Drive
- Columbia Pike and Oak Hill Drive
- Columbia Pike and Oxford Street (two stops eliminated)
George Mason University
- University Drive and Occoquan Lane
City of Fairfax
- Main Street and Virginia Street (two stops eliminated)
- University Drive and Main Street
- University Drive and Sager Avenue (two stops eliminated)
Bailey’s Crossroads
- Seminary Road and Gorham Street
- Jefferson Street and Leesburg Pike
- Carlin Springs Road stop #3421
- Vista Drive stop #6017
- Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Charles Street
- Glen Carlyn Drive
- Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Peace Valley Lane
McLean
- Old Dominion Drive and Valleywood Road
- Old Dominion Drive and Franklin Park Road
- Old Dominion Drive and Briar Ridge Road
- Old Dominion Drive and Dominion Crest Lane
To raise awareness of and celebrate the Better Bus Network launch, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office will host a community event at the Vienna Metro station from 8-11 a.m. on Monday (June 30).
Metro staff will be present to answer questions and give out maps showing the new routes, and Palchik’s staff will also offer “a step-by-step guide” to the transit agency’s SmarTrip mobile app.
“We’ll have music, giveaways, snacks, and more to celebrate and encourage folks to get out of their cars and onto the buses!” Palchik said when announcing the event at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (June 24). “I hope you will join us and learn more about how the Better Bus Network will benefit all our travel needs.”
