MetroNow Dispatch 2.2023
This month, we announce the release of MetroNow’s 2023 Bus Progress Report and dish out the transit ScuttleBus.
2023 Bus Transformation Project Progress Report
Yesterday, the MetroNow Coalition released its “2023 Bus Transformation Project Progress Report,” which measures progress against regional goals to transform bus service in the region. Read the press release here.
The report comes as February marks 50 years since the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) started bus operations by acquiring four regional bus systems. While progress is being made in certain areas, MetroNow’s report shows that more must be done to meet the region’s bold goal.
The report is a call to action for the region’s leaders to reprioritize the vision of the Bus Transformation Project and recognize the critical partnership required between local jurisdictions, states, and elected leaders throughout the entire region to accelerate the transformation of our bus network.
This year’s Progress Report focuses on the six key bus transformation initiatives MetroNow called for in 2022. MetroNow gave passing grades to five of the six initiatives. Unfortunately, the region has not come together to identify and work towards solutions to Metro’s looming fiscal cliff.
In 2023, MetroNow recommends that the region prioritizes:
Creating a Regional Strategy to Address the Transit Funding Cliff: The region must identify or create a regionally preferred long-term sustainable funding model to maintain and expand bus (and Metrorail) service. This is especially important heading into Fiscal Year 2024, as that is the last year WMATA expects to be able to achieve a balanced budget without significant additional support from the local jurisdictions, states, or federal government.
Aligning Behind a Better Bus Network Redesign Option: WMATA’s Better Bus redesign will present two networks, one that uses existing resources and a visionary network that expands service. The ability to improve access, equity, and economic growth should drive the selection.
Building Ten Miles of New Bus Lanes & Implementing an Enforcement Strategy: The region can be a national leader in terms of bus performance and ridership by creating a network of dedicated (and enforced) bus lanes to ensure bus trips are quick and reliable. Bus lanes create better experiences for today's and tomorrow's riders.
Creating a Regional Bus Stop Improvement Plan: In coordination with the Better Bus network redesign, WMATA, roadway owners, and local jurisdictions should develop, fund, and implement a bus stop improvement plan to create safe access to and from high-quality bus stops.
Monitoring the Regional Policy & Investment Impacts of Bus Transformation: As the regional bus system continues to transform with the launch of a redesigned bus network, more dedicated bus lanes, and the expansion of free fares, WMATA and the local providers should design a shared system to assess regional impacts.
This progress report is intended as an annual reminder to recommit ourselves to the goals and vision presented in the Bus Transformation Project. Collectively, we can transform the region's bus network by prioritizing high-quality bus service as a critical tool to enhance social, economic, and environmental equity. We hope this report helps to catalyze focus and regional collaboration.
Webinar: Monday, March 13 at noon
To learn more about the state of the region’s bus system, its 50 years of history, and where we are going, please join the MetroNow Coalition for a District Strong webinar hosted by the Federal City Council on Monday, March 13 from 12-1pm.
The ScuttleBus: February 2023
Keep your friends close, but the ScuttleBus closer. Here are MetroNow’s top transit picks this month:
⌛ 489 Days to the Transit Fiscal Cliff: When WMATA’s Fiscal Year 2025 starts, on July 1, 2024, it could face a $738 million operating budget shortfall, but who’s counting?
👨💼 WMATA CEO/GM Clarke on How It’s Going So Far: Randy Clarke sits down with the Washingtonian to share struggles and successes half a year into ‘the second- or third-most difficult job in Washington.’
🔴 More Red Line Trains on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: As mid-week Work-From-Work days become the norm, Red Line trains arrive every 8 minutes from 6am to 9pm. This follows midweek rush hour increases earlier this month on the Blue, Orange, and Blue Plus lines from 15 to 12 minute headways.
😤 Gun Violence Marred February: A man was shot and killed on a Metrobus on February 17, two weeks after a February 1 shooter killed a Metro employee who heroically intervened, prompting a new partnership between WMATA’s Metro Transit Police Department and DC’s Metropolitan Police Department.
😨 Smoke Reported Sunday Outside Van Ness Station: D.C. Fire and Rescue told DC News Now that the smoke came from a vehicle fire in a parking garage near the Tenleytown Station.
🚌 Honoring Black Transit Riders Long Struggle for Equality: Before Rosa Parks made history in Alabama, Black transit riders were fighting for equality on segregated buses and trains in the Washington DMV.
📢 WMATA FY 2024 Budget Open for Public Comment: You have until 5pm Wednesday, March 15, 2023 to make your voice heard on WMATA’s budget.
Transit Champion of the Month:
Robert Cunningham, Metro Mechanic
From WMATA’s February 1 Press Release on the Potomac Avenue shooting:
“Metro is mourning the loss of a heroic employee, Robert Cunningham, who intervened on behalf of a customer today at Potomac Avenue Station and was a victim of senseless gun violence. Mr. Cunningham was 64 years old and a mechanic in our power department. In his remembrance, Metro has lowered its flags to half-staff during this time of grief.”
No one should be faced with violence, especially on our transit system. Robert Cunningham’s courageous heroism saved lives. We wish no one has to ever be subjected to such senseless violence again.
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The MetroNow Coalition is made up of regional leaders from the business, non-profit, and advocacy communities who believe that transit is designed to bring us together —at work, school, and play. Today, we believe our collective advocacy for better transit for the Washington DC region is more important than ever.
We launched the MetroNow Dispatch to bring residents, leaders, and transit agencies together to think about how we can make better transit today, during the pandemic, and “tomorrow,” as we look beyond recovery to how we can build a more equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation system for our region.