Additional Changes Proposed to WMATA Bus Service

Yesterday, I discussed the changes proposed to three bus lines in Georgetown–the D2, D6, and the G2–as part of the Better Bus Initiative. Today I will discuss the other changes that would touch on bus service in Georgetown.

Probably the most busy and important bus lines through Georgetown are the 30-series routes. These routes–which travel along Wisconsin and M St. in Georgetown–used to routinely stretch all the way from Friendship Heights to southeast DC. For efficiency’s sake, WMATA has segmented those lines more and more over the past 10 years or so. Prior to covid, there were still at least a few buses an hour that would traverse the whole city, but now there are none. All 30-series routes now travel only as far as Foggy Bottom or downtown.

So as of right now there are two 30-series that run through Georgetown: the 31 and the 33. The former goes to Foggy Botton and the later goes to Federal Center, by way of downtown. From the perspective of Georgetown, these routes would be replaced by a single route: the D82

Here is the proposed route for the D82:

Like the 31, this line would get you to Foggy Bottom. But it would lose the direct connection to the Foggy Bottom metro station that now exists. The 31 delivers you just steps from the entrance. The D82 would require more like a block or two walk.

And like the 33, it would also get you to downtown, although not all the way to Federal Center as the 33 does now:

A chunk of the 33 seems to have been incorporated into the new D12 route:

But since it only goes as far as Foggy Bottom/Kennedy Center, it’s probably not of great use to Georgetowners.

So for analyzing services levels, it’s fair to compare the combined 31 and 33 to the new D82. And here are the proposed headways for the D82:

Here’s how they compare with the existing service:

• Early morning:
  • Current service: Every 12-20 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 20 minutes
• Morning rush:
  • Current service: Every 8-10 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 6-10 minutes
• Midday:
  • Current service: Every 10 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 10 minutes
• Afternoon rush:
  • Current service: Every 10 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 6-10 minutes
• Evening:
  • Current service: Every 10-15 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 12 minutes
• Overnight:
  • Current service: Every 20 minutes
  • Proposed service: Every 18 minutes

So depending on the details, for most of the day the proposed service would match or exceed the existing service. Before morning rush and after evening rush there may be a slight reduction in service, but it’s not significant.

So for Wisconsin Ave. bus service, the new route would largely meet or exceed the current routes. The only real clear loser would be someone who uses the 33 right now to get all the way to Federal Center. But I can’t imagine that is a large number of people.

There is a huge, blaringly red asterisk on this analysis: the Circulator. Right now that the Circulator supplements service between Georgetown and downtown. Right now the mayor is proposing ending the entire service. The Better Bus Network as proposed would not replicate the Georgetown-Union Station Circulator route. The council has not signed off on that budget yet. And at least one councilmember (Pinto) has expressed a desire to either keep the Circulator or insist that its service be incorporated into WMATA’s. So stay tuned on that angle.

But that’s not all! Another Georgetown bus route impacted by the proposed changes is the 38B. This route (once called “the Orange Line with a view”) travels from Farragut Square out to Ballston by way of M St. through Georgetown. It would be replaced by the A58.

Unlike the 38B, it would travel all the way out to Seven Corners. But for the most part, it would simply mimic the 38B.

As for service, the A58 seems to be mostly in line with the 38B, with one exception. Both the 38B and the proposed A58 have buses coming every 15 minutes for most of the day. But the 38B turns to 30 minutes headways in the evenings while the A58 would offer 20 minute service until late night:

So the new service would actually be marginally better.

Finally, there is one wildcard: the C85.

This route would partially restore the old D5 route, which once ran from Farragut to the Palisades by way of M St., Canal Road, and MacArthur Blvd. But once it reaches the new MacArthur High School, the bus would actually head north up through NW DC all the way to Barnaby Woods.

This would, of course, offer good bus service for the new high school, especially to Burleith, Glover Park, and Wesley Heights. However, the frequency is not particularly impressive:

It’s hard to build a bus ride into a school commute when the headways are this long. But I suppose if the bus sticks closely to its schedule, it could prove useful.

And that’s it! So, overall some interesting proposals with lots of potential pluses (and some minuses). But the question of overall service level is still very pressing. As it is currently proposed, Georgetown would have somewhat less overall service (even before considering the cancellation of the Circulator). So, somewhat of a mixed bag overall.