Your guide to WMATA’s “Proposed Network” bus route redesign

On May 13, WMATA launched the final phase of public engagement for the Better Bus Network Redesign, which will run until 5:00 PM on Monday, July 15. Planners at WMATA are soliciting feedback on the “Proposed Network,” which they expect to implement in the summer of 2025.

Take a look at the maps of the Proposed Network, broken down by jurisdiction:

• DC
• Maryland
• Virginia

These maps contain a lot of information, and it’s not always obvious exactly how the routes you use may be affected in the redesign at first glance. The “Get Involved” section below walks through the tools WMATA provided to break down the redesign for your personal use.

We released a similar guide last year on how you could tell WMATA what you thought about the Visionary Network, which then informed how their teams decided what to prioritize in connecting riders to places we want and need to go. Now, WMATA’s looking for your feedback again as the staff consider the network that they will begin implementing in 2025.

But first… some context

The current Metrobus network carries over the legacy streetcar and bus network from over 50 years ago, before the establishment of WMATA. As the Washington region’s economy and population changed over the past several decades, the bus network has remained structurally unchanged that leaves it out of step with the needs of a population whose living, working, and recreating patterns have changed significantly in that time.

You may recall a similar round of engagement last year on the “Visionary Network” version which would require 35% more resources than Metrobus currently receives. The Proposed Network is a redesign of the current network, incorporating feedback provided by riders for the Visionary Network, but only using resources that are currently available. So the Proposed Network is more limited, as far as redesigns go, in what it’s trying to achieve.

If WMATA’s plans come together and the funding becomes available, the Proposed Network could be a first step toward the Visionary Network. But WMATA and regional leaders would have to take bold steps to generate the revenue needed to reach that end-goal, steps that ideally we’d see articulated by the new Task Force. (Editor’s note: GGWash’s board secretary Dr. Tracy Hadden Loh serves on the Task Force. Board members have no involvement with editorial decision-making).

One elephant in the room for DC is the impact of Mayor Bowser’s proposal to eliminate the Circulator, which she announced after WMATA developed the Proposed Network. It’s unclear at this time how or the extent to which Metrobus will cover routes currently served by the Circulator, and if and how this will affect the bus network redesign. If you will be affected by the elimination of the Circulator service, I encourage you to include that in the feedback you provide WMATA.

What riders told WMATA during last year’s outreach

Last year, WMATA held 63 events across the region, opened an interactive feedback tool, and asked for riders to share their thoughts on the Visionary Network and how they prioritize different aspects of bus service. WMATA received more than 8,000 online comments and 20,000 in-person interactions as a result of these efforts. Here are some of the highlights of that feedback.

• After rush hour periods, riders commented that midday service was their second-highest priority for high-frequency routes.
• Riders were about evenly split between preferring to walk further for more frequent bus routes and preferring a shorter walk to less-frequent bus routes.
• 59% of riders preferred longer overall trips to avoid transfers, compared to 41% who preferred shorter overall trips with transfers.

System-wide changes in the Proposed Network

Based on the feedback WMATA received during their outreach for the Visionary Network, the Proposed Network includes some system-wide changes around route naming and route placement.

• New naming system for bus routes (for example, routes that travel to downtown DC will start with D in the Proposed Network)
• 123 new routes replacing current routes
• Prioritizes service in “Equity Focus Communities” (census-derived areas that consider income, disability, and race)
• Improved service in the evening and on weekends
• Increased spacing between bus stops

How can you get involved?

There are a few ways for you to get involved in the redesign process. First, learn more about the changes to the system and get a sense of how the changes may improve, hinder, or have no impact on the way you get around.

• Use the interactive trip planner to compare your current bus routes to comparable routes in the Proposed Network (you can also compare travel times between bus and other modes of transportation)
• Explore the Better Bus Discovery Hub for more information about the project
• Sign up for the monthly newsletter on Better Bus projects

Then, share your feedback with WMATA.

• Provide route-specific feedback. For example, if you live in Deanwood and want to travel to MedStar Washington Hospital Center by bus, under the current network you have to take the X9, 80, and H4 buses—a journey that requires two transfers and takes about 80 minutes during morning rush hour. Under the proposed network redesign, that trip would be direct, requiring no transfers, and take about 55 minutes. If that change would affect your trip, this survey allows you to share your thoughts on it with WMATA directly.
• Take a survey (you have a chance of winning a $50 gift card by completing this)
• Submit written comments
• Upload a document

WMATA hosted the first of ten pop-ups at Hyattsville Crossing on May 15, and will organize 25 ride-alongs, three in-person public hearings, two virtual public hearings, and a webinar. You can find the full list of events here. The last day to provide feedback will be at 5:00 PM on Monday, July 15.

A bus network that works well for people is vital if Washington-region jurisdictions are to meet their climate, equity, and mode shift goals. As WMATA considers this redesign process, they need to hear from you to make this network work for as many people as possible. My colleagues and I will be sharing our thoughts on the Proposed Network in the coming weeks.