Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently purchased BRT buses that are painted in the new Local and Express paint schemes. | |
Parent | WMATA |
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Founded | 1967 |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Locale | Washington Metropolitan Area |
Service area | Washington Metropolitan Area |
Service type | Local, Express, Limited Stop & Bus Rapid Transit |
Routes | 320[1] |
Fleet | 1,548 |
Daily ridership | 436,600 (Weekday average)[2] |
Fuel type | Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, CNG |
Operator | WMATA |
General manager | Paul Wiedefeld |
Website | www.wmata.com |
Metrobus is a bus service operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Its fleet consists of 1,480 buses covering an area of 1,500 square miles (3,900 km2) in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. There are over 300 bus routes serving 12,216 stops, including 2,398 bus shelters. In fiscal year 2009, Metrobus provided more than 133 million trips.[3] On a typical weekday, it provides more than 400,000 trips.[2]
Metro stopped issuing and accepting paper bus transfers as of January 4, 2009; bus and rail riders must use a SmarTrip card to receive the transfer discount.[4]
Fares
As of June 29, 2014, the Metrobus fare structure is as follows:[5]
- Local bus within the District of Columbia, Central Maryland and Northern Virginia, (except as noted below): $1.75 (using cash & SmarTrip)
- Express bus: $4 (using cash & SmarTrip)
- Express Airport buses 5A and B30: $7
Discounts may be available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and DC students.(*must have valid ID)
Up to two children, per paying adult, under 5 years of age ride for free. Children at least 5 years of age pay adult fare.
Express routes: J7, J9, P17, P19, W13, W19, 11Y, 17A, 17B, 17G, 17H, 17K, 17L, 17M, 18E, 18G, 18H, 18P and 29W.
Transfers and passes
All Metrobuses have SmarTrip card readers which automatically deduct the correct fare from a rider's SmarTrip card (including transfer credit). Formerly, Metrobus issued paper transfers which gave the rider free transfers to any regular bus for two hours. Effective January 4, 2009, when a rider uses a SmarTrip card, they will automatically receive rail-to-bus transfer credit and bus-to-bus free transfer time for regular buses is increased to three hours. Express routes have different requirements. This section discusses the transfer policy to and from Metrobus and other regional bus operators. The routes can be Metrobus routes or routes of other regional operators. Note that as of January 4, 2009, transfer credit is issued on a SmarTrip card, riders using cash payment cannot obtain a paper transfer and must pay full fare upon boarding the bus. On June 27, 2010, the transfer window was reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours.
From | to Local Buses¹ | to Express Buses² (Metrobus, Fairfax Connector, or Ride-On) |
to PRTC routes |
---|---|---|---|
Washington Metro | $1 | $2.50 | $4.75 to PRTC OmniRide (full SmarTrip fare) $2.40 to PRTC MetroDirect (full SmarTrip fare) |
Metrobus: All local routes |
Free | $1.75 | $3.50 to PRTC OmniRide $1.15 to PRTC MetroDirect |
Arlington Transit (ART) Connect-A-Ride DASH Fairfax Connector (except routes 380, 595, and 597) Ride-On (except route 70) |
Free | $1.75 | N/A |
Fairfax Connector routes 380, 595 and 597 Ride-On route 70 Metrobus express routes PRTC OmniRide |
Free | Free | N/A |
The Bus CUE |
Free | $1.75 | N/A |
NOTES:
- Local Buses: Metrobus local routes, Ride-On (except route 70), The Bus (Prince George's County), DC Circulator, Fairfax Connector (except Routes 380, 595 and 597), Connect-A-Ride, Fairfax CUE, DASH and Arlington Transit.
- Express Buses: Metrobus express routes, PRTC OmniRide, PRTC MetroDirect, Ride-On route 70, Fairfax Connector routes 380, 595 and 597.
Current Active fleet
Metro has currently awarded a five-year contract with NABI (now New Flyer) for the procurement of up to 654 new buses. The first batch of 85 NABI diesel-electric hybrid 42-foot buses is already on order, with delivery expected within a year. The new buses will replace some of Metro’s older Orion V buses, which were delivered in 1997 and 2000. Going forward, the contract gives Metro the option to order up to 498 additional 42-foot buses and up to 71 60-foot buses over the five-year period. Red/Silver painted buses will be used on local routes and Blue/Silver buses will be used on Express routes. These buses will have either "Local" or "MetroExtra" on the top of each side of the bus for easy identification.[6] The numbering represents its region of operation. To differ the regions numbering system, most Maryland letters is "prefix" to the route number and Virginia letters is "suffix" to the "number" of the route. For example: C22 (Maryland) and 15L (Virginia). WMATA is adding a total of 533 hybrid buses to replace its diesel bus fleet. Each new "New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40" bus costs $571,737 and is expected to break down less frequently as well as offer greater fuel economy. With the latest purchase of 152 hybrid buses for $89.3 million from New Flyer of America, WMATA's Metrobus fleet will consist of 297 diesel buses, 800 hybrid buses and 458 natural gas fueled buses.[7]
Image | Builder | Manufacture Model | Length | Order Year | Fleet Number | Fuel Propulsion | Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) | Notes For The Buses | Bus Divisions |
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Orion Bus Industries | (05.501) | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 2000 | 2100-2231 (132 buses) |
Diesel |
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New Flyer Industries | C40LF | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 2001- 2002 |
2300-2399, 2401-2464 (164 buses) |
CNG |
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Neoplan USA | AN460A | 60 ft (18.29 m) | 2002 | 5301-5321 (21 buses) |
Diesel |
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Orion Bus Industries | 7.501 |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2005- 2006 |
2501-2685, 2701-2730 (215 buses) |
CNG |
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* The 2006 batch originally had John Deere 6081H engines, but were re-powered with Cummins C-Gas Plus engines upon rehab.
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7.503 |
30 ft (9.144 m) | 2006 | 3001-3035 (35 buses) |
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New Flyer Industries | DE40LF |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2005 | 6001-6039 (39 buses) |
Diesel-electric Hybrid |
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DE40LFR |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2006 | 6040-6050 (11 buses) |
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D40LFR |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2006 | 6101-6217 (117 buses) |
Diesel |
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C40LFR |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2007 | 2801-2825 (25 buses) |
CNG |
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NABI | 60-BRT |
60 ft (18.29 m) | 2008 | 5401-5422 (22 buses) |
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New Flyer Industries | DE40LFA |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2008-2009 | 6301-6461 (161 buses) |
Diesel-electric Hybrid |
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DE60LFA |
60 ft (18.29 m) | 2009 | 5431-5452 (22 buses) |
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DE35LFA |
35 ft (10.67 m) | 3751-3770 (20 buses) |
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DE40LFA |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2010 | 6462-6609 (148 buses) |
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XDE40 |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2011 | 7001-7152 (152 buses) |
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2012-2013 | 7153-7272 (120 buses) |
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Orion Bus Industries | 7.503 HEV |
30 ft (9.144 m) | 2012 | 3063-3087 (25 buses) |
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7.503 BRT |
30 ft (9.144 m) | 3036-3062 (27 buses) |
Diesel |
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NABI | 42 BRT Hybrid |
42 ft (12.80 m) | 2014 | 8001-8105 (105 buses) |
Diesel-electric Hybrid |
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New Flyer Industries | XDE60 |
60 ft (18.29 m) | 2015 | 5460-5480 (21 buses) |
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XN40 | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 2015-2016 | 2830-2993 (164 buses) |
CNG |
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XDE40 | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 7300-7409 (110 buses) |
Diesel-electric Hybrid |
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On Order
Builder | Model | Length | Order Year | Fleet Number | Fuel Propulsion | Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XE40[8] | New Flyer Industries | 40 ft (12.19 m) | 2016 | 4920? (1 buses) |
Electric |
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XN40 |
40 ft (12.19 m) | 2018 | 2000?-2099? (100 buses) |
CNG |
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- Note: In 2015, the rest of the NABI BRT order was converted to the New Flyer Xcelsior order, due to New Flyer discontinuing production of its NABI-branded buses.
- Note: Also, the numbering for the 2016 New Flyer XE40 & 2018 New Flyer XN40 buses is to be determined.
Retired fleet
- 1974-1975 AM General Metropolitans #7000-7619
- 1983 M.A.N Articulated Buses #5101-5133
- 1983-1984 Neoplan USA AN440A #9500-9576
- 1976-1978 Flxible New Looks #8000-8661
- 1988 Gillig Phantoms #5080-5099
- 1959-1974 GMC Fishbowls #1000-6718
- GMC Old Looks
- 1979 GMC RTS II #9001-9115
- 1986-1988 Flxible Metro B #8700-8975
- 1989-1991 Flxible Metro B #9201-9498
- 1993-1995 Flxible Metro D #9701-9835
- 1995 Flxible Metro E #4001-4104
- 1992 Orion V #9601-9660
- 1999 Orion V 30ft #3900-3950
- 2000 Orion VI #2000-2099
- 1999-2000 Orion II #3701-3742
- 1995 Nabi American Ikarus Articulated Buses #5201-5245
- 1998 Orion V #3901-3950
- 2002 Neoplan USA AN460A #5301-5321
- 1997 Orion V #4200-4412
Divisions
There are 9 divisions (a.k.a. Depots, garages, yards or lots) in the Metrobus system. Two of them are open on weekdays only and two are being planned to open soon.
Division | Location | Capacity | Notes |
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Bladensburg (B) | 2251 26th St. NE, Washington, DC 20018-1405 | 257 |
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Four Mile Run (F) | 3501 S. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22202 | 218 |
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Landover (L) | 3503 Pennsy Drive in Landover | 210 |
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Montgomery (M) | 5400 Marinelli Road, just east of Rockville Pike in Rockville | 240 |
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Northern (N) | 4615 14th Street, NW in the northwestern portion of the District. | 175 |
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Shepherd Parkway (S) | 2 DC Village Lane SW. | 250 |
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Western (W) | 5230 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of the District. | 138 |
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West Ox (A) | Alliance Drive and West Ox Road in Fairfax, VA, right next to Lee Hwy (US 29). | 100 |
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Southern Avenue Annex (P) | Southern Ave & Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights, MD | 103 |
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<<< Future Bus Divisions >>> | |||
Cinder Bed Road [9] | Cinder Bed Road & Hill Park Dr, VA | 160 |
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Andrews Federal Campus [10] | Forestville Rd & Rena Rd in Forestvile, MD | 250 |
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Richmond Highway Express
Richmond Highway Express a.k.a. "REX", is a Limited-Stop bus line that operates between King Street – Old Town station and Fort Belvoir along the Richmond Highway corridor in Fairfax County, Virginia. The current "REX" fleet consists of twelve 2010 New Flyer DE42LFA diesel-electric hybrid buses (6550-6561) painted in a blue-and-gold paint scheme, all of which operate out of the Shepherd Parkway division. REX began service on September 26, 2004, replacing parts of Route 9A (which now operates between Huntington station and The Pentagon). The original REX bus fleet consisted of twelve now-retired 2000 Orion 06.501 (VI) buses wrapped (but not painted) in blue-and-gold paint scheme before the aforementioned Orion 07.501 CNG buses arrived in 2006. The previous "REX" fleet consisted of 12 2006 Orion 07.501 (VII) CNG buses (2674-2685) painted in the blue-and-gold paint scheme, until they were all repainted between June and August 2014.
MetroExtra
MetroExtra is a Limited-Stop Metrobus service, which operates on Metrobus lines that need extra service and faster service. MetroExtra started service on March 19, 2007 with the 79 that operates from Silver Spring station to Archives station, operating on the 7th Street/Georgia Avenue (DC) corridor. The MetroExtra fleet consists of 16 2007 New Flyer C40LFR CNG buses (2801-2816), 15 2011 New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40 diesel-electric hybrid buses (7086-7100), 49 2009 New Flyer DE40LFA diesel-electric hybrid buses (6413-6461), 32 2005-2006 Orion VII CNG buses (2528, 2563, 2603, 2616, 2626-2629, 2636, 2640-2641, 2643-2644, 2646-2647, 2650-2651, 2655, 2663, 2665, 2668, 2670-2671 and 2677-2685) and 1 2006 New Flyer DE40LFR diesel-electric hybrid bus (6040). MetroExtra buses are painted in the silver and blue scheme. MetroExtra operates 12 bus routes: 16X, 16Y, 79, 37, 39, S9, J4, 28X, X9, A9, K9 and W9. MetroExtra costs the same fare as Metrobus $1.75 (using cash & SmarTrip). MetroExtra operates from Bladensburg, Montgomery, Northern, Four Mile Run and Shepherd Parkway Divisions.
Metroway
Metroway is a premium transit service that began on August 24, 2014. The first phase is the Crystal City/Potomac Yard Transitway, which operates on Route 1 in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. It is a 5-mile corridor with 33 platforms and 20 station located between Pentagon City and Braddock Road. The first 0.8 mile segment in Alexandria runs on a transit lane only. The Arlington County segment began construction in the summer of 2014 and will begin service in April of 2016. Currently, Metroway operates between Braddock Road Station and Crystal City. 13 2014 NABI 42 BRT diesel-electric hybrid buses (8002-8014) operate with the blue-and-white Metroway paint scheme. The Metroway service, which is operated by Metrobus' Shepherd Parkway bus division, features dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, off-board fare collection, real-time information, boarding at all doors, custom designed shelters and stations, as well as near-level boarding at station platforms. A Metroway fare costs the same as Metrobus, which is $1.75 (using cash & SmarTrip).
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Metrobus (Washington, D.C.). |
References
- ↑ WMATA Facts (PDF). Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- 1 2 List of United States local bus agencies by ridership
- ↑ Approved Fiscal 2010 Annual Budget (PDF), p. 5-7, WMATA (2009)
- ↑ Metro eliminates paper transfers on Sunday WMATA press release: 2009-1-2
- ↑ "Information about fare changes effective June 29, 2014". Washington Metro Area Transit Authority. WMATA. June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ↑ Metro begins express bus service and other improvements to 16th Street Line WMATA press release: 2009-3-30
- ↑ Hedgpeth, Dana (May 11, 2011). "Metro is putting its mind to saving energy.". Washington Post. p. B1.
- ↑ "WMATA to Add New Flyer Xcelsior XE40 Battery-Electric Bus". New Flyer. New Flyer. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "WMATA Cinder Bed Road Division". Wendel Companies.
- ↑ "Hensel Phelps Awarded WMATA Andrews Federal Bus Garage". Hensel Phelps. June 19, 2014.
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