Metro's new bus system proposal could eliminate more than 600 stops, rename routes

WASHINGTON (7News) — On Tuesday, the Metro’s board of directors approved a resolution to hold a series of public meetings next month so riders can weigh in on a major proposed overhaul of Metro’s bus routes.

For well over a year, Metro leaders have been working on a plan to make major changes to the bus system. This week, Metro has finally put out concrete plans for the changes they are proposing.

The “Better Bus Network” proposal involves many things riders are likely to embrace, like more service during off-peak hours and weekends; more service to hospitals, schools and grocery stores; and more service to fast-growing areas like National Harbor.

But Metro warns trade-offs may have to be made, and while many people would benefit, other riders may not be happy.

For instance, to make bus service faster and more efficient, some riders must go longer distances to get to a bus stop. The proposal calls for the elimination of more than 600 out of the nearly 10,000 stops in Metro’s system.

Bringing more service to off-peak hours and weekends would mean a reduced service at peak hours. In addition, some areas with low bus ridership could see reduced or eliminated bus service.

RELATED: Metro releases proposal for major changes to its bus system

Metro is also proposing renaming routes. They're proposing a system which uses a letter and then two numbers, which officials say focus groups have shown is easiest to remember. For example:

• Routes that go to downtown Washington would start with the letter D.
• Routes that go “crosstown” between east and west would start with a C,
• Routes to Montgomery County would start with M.
• Routes to Prince George’s County would start with P.
• Routes to Alexandria or Arlington would start with A.
• Routes to Fairfax County, Fairfax city, or Falls Church would all start with F.

“A lot of the [current] names are legacy names that we’ve inherited from trolley systems many, many years ago,” said Tom Webster, Metro’s Chief Planning and Performance Officer. “And they don’t make a lot of sense to new customers to the region and to visitors.”

At Thursday’s board meeting one board member seemed concerned the naming changes could be confusing, while another wanted to use more letters to provide more detailed information based on a route’s name.

For a look at all the newly named routes, in addition to the current routes they correspond to, you can visit Metro's website.

There will be a period beginning Monday in which the public can give comments to Metro, and there are also a series of public meetings scheduled for next month about the “Better Bus Network” proposals.

This fall, the Metro board of directors is expected to vote on a final plan. If enacted, the changes to the bus system could begin about a year from now.