The big Metro bus overhaul is happening: Bus line names really are changing, and so are the routes themselves.
Why it matters: While iconic bus names like the X2 are going away, Metro has tweaked its original plan after receiving over 13,000 comments from the public.
The big picture: The finalized plans call for cutting 510 out of 9,500 bus stops , down from 640.
- “By eliminating these stops, bus speeds should increase, travel time should become more reliable, and bus service will be more efficient,” Metro’s plan says.
Zoom in: Metro decided to keep bus service between Dupont Circle and the State Department, alongside routes connecting Georgetown and Union Station and Bethesda and Silver Spring, the Washington Post reports .
By the numbers: Metro promises 30% more bus routes will be part of its “frequent service network” — buses that arrive every 12 or 20 minutes.
- Weekend service will be available to 20,000 more people who currently don’t have any, Metro says.
Between the lines: Metro says it could provide 30-minute headways for most bus routes, create overnight lines to airports and establish a 24-hour bus network if it had more funding,