The District has taken another big step toward improving Metrobus service which will affect Ward One.

The District will pay for limited stop rush hour service along the 16th Street corridor through the Summer of 2011.  Mayor Fenty and I worked together to identify funding for the pilot program.

 

The new S9 route would make only 16 stops compared to the 82 stops made by the S1, S2 and S4 buses.  The route would shave minutes from travel times.  It will also reduce overcrowding and keep buses on schedule.

 

The 16th Street corridor is the third busiest bus route in the system.  The first two are on Georgia Avenue (the 70 lines) and on Pennsylvania Ave and Wisconsin Ave (the 30 lines), both of which have limited stop service.

 

This route would be third recent improvement to Metrobus service in center-city D.C.

 

Beginning March 29, a new DC Circulator route will be added to serve Ward One/Ward Two neighborhoods.  This express bus will run from Woodley Park Metro station to McPherson Square Metro station stopping in Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights, U Street, and Logan Circle. I authored the funds for this expansion of the DC Circulator.

 

Finally, in December Metro added the 43 bus route, which connects Mount Pleasant, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle to downtown.  The 43 Route shortens the existing 42 route by using the underpass on Connecticut Avenue at Dupont Circle.  This saves 5 minutes and reduces congestion around the circle.

 

Yesterday, a committee of the Metro/WMATA board supported adding limited stop service on 16th Street.  The full board will vote on the plan later this month.