The Orange Line Shutdown began on June 3, 2023 and is scheduled to continue until July 16, 2023. During this period of time, Orange Line commuters heading eastbound towards Arlington will find their trips significantly impacted. In our most recent webinar, our speaker from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) provided their solutions to the disrupted rail service while Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) shared additional transportation options.
During the webinar, WMATA shared the routes and scheduling of shuttle services that will be provided while Orange Line rail service is disrupted. These shuttles can be expected to leave every five minutes during rush hour (6:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-7:00 p.m.) and every ten minutes at all other times. Due to the large amount of commuters utilizing these shuttles during the shutdown, commuters can expect to wait up to 20 minutes to board a shuttle.
Shuttle alternatives from June 3 to June 25
- Orange Line Shuttle: A shuttle will provide service between Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church, and Ballston-MU Stations.
- Silver Line Shuttle: A shuttle will provide service between McLean, East Falls Church, and Ballston-MU stations.
- Orange Line Express: An express shuttle service will directly bring passengers from Vienna Station straight to Rosslyn station. The express shuttle is only available from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends
- Silver Line Limited: A limited-stop shuttle that will service passengers between Washington Dulles International Airport, McLean, and Rosslyn. The limited shuttle is only available from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends
Shuttle alternatives from June 26 to July 16
- Orange Line Shuttle: A shuttle will provide service between Vienna, Dunn Loring, and West Falls Church stations
Communication and Outreach
For the duration of the shutdown, WMATA street teams will be positioned at all closed stations and shuttle stops to provide information and support commuters during this time. For the most up-to-date communications regarding travel alternatives, shuttle maps, and any other additional information, WMATA recommends referring to the project website.
Ways to Improve your Commute
In addition to the WMATA-provided shuttle service information, ATP also shared various ways that companies can implement or enhance programs to support employee commutes during the shutdown.
Telework
Through telework practices, employees can avoid the disruption completely. 70% of companies provide some form of telework, and having the option to avoid a difficult commute can save employees time and stress during the shutdown. For more information, refer to ATP’s telework guide.
Flexible Scheduling
Similar to telework, flexible scheduling allows employees to strategically modify their work hours to avoid peak commute times while still coming into the workplace. In a flexible schedule model, employees stagger their work hours to start later or earlier in the day allowing them to bypass inconvenient rush hour commutes. Flexible scheduling has been shown to reduce turnover, tardiness, and absenteeism in employees.
Capital Bikeshare
ATP has long promoted Capital Bikeshare as a method of transportation long before the Orange Line shutdown. Capital Bikeshare’s main draw is that it’s incredibly convenient to use due to the large number of stations in the region as well as it being a user-friendly experience—a Capital Bikeshare can be found near the Ballston Metro station as well as all along the shutdown path to support commutes. Companies can work with ATP to provide corporate memberships for employees at a discounted rate.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing services include carpool and vanpool and can be a great way to support groups of employees who live in close proximity to one another. There are a number of financial incentives for employees to participate in either a carpool or a vanpool. ATP can provide a number of resources to more effectively implement ridesharing at your business.
Stay in the Loop with ATP
The webinar is a great resource for all Orange Line shutdown needs. To learn more about what your company can do to support its employees during Metro disruptions and other transportation concerns, reach out to your ATP rep with any questions or program assistance that you require.
Photo Credit: Albert Ting/theclickting.com for Arlington Transportation Partners