The 74 bus line could extend service to Audi Field. But who will get lost along the way?

The 74 bus line, which runs between the Southwest Waterfront and the Convention Center, is already slow. It scored an F for headways and adherence to schedule from Metro Report Card, which unpacks how effective bus service is throughout DC. Now WMATA is proposing service changes that would extend the line to Audi Field through Buzzard Point, but wouldn’t add any more buses.

Under WMATA’s proposal, service hours would also be curbed in the early mornings and late evenings. This has sparked concern from residents, ANC commissioners, and DC councilmembers who are worried about how the changes will impact riders

“The changes that they [WMATA] are proposing—to extend the line in a way that the 74 bus can go further down Buzzard Point and connect to Audi Field—that’s not the problem. I think that it’s a good thing to help connect Audi Field by bus,” Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said in a phone interview. “But the way in which they’re proposing to accomplish that, to go to a stadium, is by reducing service for the residents that are the most dependent on that bus line.”

The proposal is what’s called a cost-neutral plan, according to the WMATA documents. In the plan WMATA and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) would “extend to serve the new Buzzard Point development and Audi Field (DC United stadium).”

The proposed extension would operate from Half & O streets SW via Half Street, P Street, 2nd Street, V Street, 1st Street, T Street, and 2nd Street to P Street SW and resume the current route to K & 6th streets NW (Convention Center).

But this would also mean a reduction in service in the early morning and late evenings.

Allen says the proposal points to larger bus issues in the region.

“The 74 is just an example of how WMATA is treating bus service overall,” Allen said. The councilmember says he has sent two letters to WMATA expressing his concern and asking that more buses be added. “WMATA needs to add more buses and by doing so, they keep the headways at a more manageable time frame.”

On October 2, WMATA held a public hearing about the proposal and asked for residents and riders to weigh in. Several people expressed concerns.

“If you’re going to be a 21st-century city and you want to get people away from cars, you have to provide modal transport that moves people fast,” said Gail Fast, Ward 6D ANC Commissioner and chairperson, in a followup phone interview.

Fast said that getting to Audi Field is good for the District, but the way in which WMATA is executing the proposal comes at the cost of residents who will have longer wait times to use a bus that is already infrequent.

“So who’s going to travel by bus?” Fast said. “It becomes a lost route. It really isn’t the best use of that bus line.”

In the proposal, WMATA did offer alternative routes in lieu of service alterations including the Green Line at Waterfront Metrorail Station, which would be open some early morning weekday and late evening trips. And also Route P6 on M Street SW operates from approximately 4:15 am until after 2:30 am seven days a week, according to WMATA.

“Staff is currently reviewing the public input and expects to present recommendations on the proposed bus service changes to the Board of Directors next month,” Sherri Ly, Public Relations Manager for WMATA said. “All feedback provided during the public comment period is provided to the Board for consideration prior to making their decision. Any service changes, including when those changes would take effect, will be determined by the Board.”

What has your experience on this bus line been like? Let us know. We plan to keep following this issue.