The Better Bus Network Redesign went into effect on Sunday, June 29, and is Metro’s first overhaul of the Metrobus system in 50 years. All routes and stops have been impacted by the redesign, whether it’s a simple name change or an entirely adjusted route. ATP is here to summarize the most important information that we learned during our webinar.
New Route Names
Metro has created a new naming convention consisting of three characters for their routes that will make the network easier to navigate than ever. All routes begin with a letter that signifies the main region that the route will be operating in:
A: Arlington and Alexandria
C: Crosstown – DC
D: Downtown – DC
F: Falls Church and Fairfax
M: Montgomery County
P: Prince George's County
Following the first letter is a number which will further break the region down into various neighborhoods or corridors. The final letter or number will determine the specific route within a particular region and neighborhood. If the final character is an “X”, this indicates that the route is limited-stop, allowing for faster travel between two end-destinations.
New Signs to Match
To complement the changed route names, brand new Metrobus signs can be found at every bus stop that serves a Metrobus line. On these new signs, you’ll see the new name for the route as well as the old bus routes. The new route destination is also visible on the sign so that you can immediately tell if your bus is still going where you need it to. See the image below for an example of the new Metrobus signs as well as how the naming system works.
Did my Route Change?
While it’s true that there’s been a major overhaul, you do not need to learn every single change to continue riding Metrobus with confidence. In most cases, your bus route has not changed completely and has simply been updated to increase efficiency. Continue reading to view some routes operating within or through Arlington that have experienced changes, as well as some routes that are largely unaffected beyond their new name.
Key Changes to Arlington Routes
- A70 Glebe Road: Previously the 23A/T, this route now connects Tysons to Potomac Yard and no longer stops in Shirlington.
- A71 Ballston – King St: Previously the 22A, this route is an extended version of the old route so that it now connects Ballston to King Street Station via Four Mile Run Drive & King Street.
- F50 Washington Blvd: Previously the 2A, this route has been extended to now connect the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station to Foggy Bottom with a route through Ballston.
- A58 Wilson Blvd – Farragut Square: Previously the 38B, this route now extends to Seven Corners Transit Center to Farragut Square via Washington Blvd and Clarendon Blvd/Wilson Blvd.
Routes without Changes
- A11 Huntington – Pentagon: Previously the 10A.
- A12 Ballston – Hunting Point: Previously the 10B.
- A28 Landmark – Pentagon: Previously the 21C.
- A40 Columbia Pike – National Landing: Previously the 16M.
- F19 Mt Vernon: Previously the 11Y.
- F44 Columbia Pike – Pentagon: Previously the 16A.
Resources to Help You Navigate
The above section is only a snapshot of the changes made to Metrobus — to make the transition to the Better Bus Network even smoother, Metro has introduced new and updated resources that are available both online and at transit centers to assist you through your new commute.
An App to Assist
Metro recommends their app, MetroPulse, as the one-stop shop to find all the information you need to start using the new network confidently. On the app, you can learn which routes have changed, utilize a trip-planning tool, view maps, offer feedback, and more. All the resources within the app can also be found and utilized online on WMATA’s Better Bus Landing Page.
Where to Get Printed Materials
Printed versions of these materials are available at transit centers located throughout Arlington. You can find paper versions of regional service maps, neighborhood profiles for routes, and individual route brochures. Additionally, you can reach out to your ATP rep if you’d like assistance with stocking new Metrobus print materials for your transit displays.
Additional ATP Resources
ATP can create custom resources to further assist with ensuring that your employees and tenants are able to navigate the changes to Metrobus. While Metro has their own trip planning tool, you can also request a custom-made commute planner from an ATP representative which will include additional commute modes that can complement your usage of the new bus network.
If you have received a custom Quick Glance from ATP in the past, you can reach out to request an updated version with the new Metrobus routes. Never received a Quick Glance from us? No problem! Now is the perfect time to request one for your transit display or next benefits fair.
Stay In-the-Know with ATP
Stay connected with ATP to ensure you have the most up-to-date information when it comes to commuting in Arlington. Whether it is through our blog posts, newsletters, or webinars, ATP will help you stay informed.
Watch the full webinar below for additional information such as why the Better Bus Network was implemented, a summary of how it has been performing in its first two weeks, and the contact information for our guest speaker if you’d like to get in touch.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners