Solutions & Resolutions, Digging into Data, and More Inside

January 2023

Welcome to the Better Bus Dispatch—your up-to-date news source for Metro's Better Bus initiative!

Technically Speaking…

Happy New Year! 2023 holds a lot of excitement for all of us, including the development of a new and improved bus network. The Better Bus Network Redesign team is using what we learned from you this past fall to create solutions that make the bus better for you. So, how do we do that?

We evaluated data on travel patterns in the region and the current bus network to identify where we can improve service. We are using this information, combined with your feedback, to design a new bus network for the region. Check out the examples below of what we learned and what that might mean for a new bus network.

Alt text: Only 22% of residents have access to high-frequency service. We will craft new networks to provide more people with access.

Alt text: Low-income populations have good access to bus service. We will continue to serve these communities to make our region more equitable.

Alt text: Residents in equity-focused communities have access to fewer goods and services. We will improve connections and service to them.

Find a full summary of our findings and next steps at the link below!

Behind the Scenes

Our data-driven analysis is helping us make decisions that will better serve you. In the video below, William Jones, Program Manager, Regional Mobility Planning at Metro, shares three interesting tidbits we’ve learned from our analysis and provides some insight on our next steps! Click below to watch.

Better Together: Northern Bus Garage Announcement!

Metro is working hard on the entire Better Bus Initiative, and the network redesign is just one part of this important work. There are several other ways Metro is working to improve the bus experience for you.

Did you know we’re also committed to transitioning to a zero emission bus fleet? This week, we celebrated a significant milestone and announced Northern Bus Garage will re-open with a fully electric bus fleet! Click to learn more

The Metro GM and others hold shovels ceremoniously at the Northern Bus Garage groundbreaking.

Metro leadership and special guests from the Federal Transit Administration, the District of Columbia, and the community breaking ground on the Northern Bus Garage Reconstruction Project.

The rebuilt Northern Bus Garage will have the capacity to house up to 150 zero-emission buses.

Tell a Friend about Better Bus!

We’re glad to partner with you on this important project and keep you informed through our Better Bus Dispatch. We invite you to help others get involved, too, with our Forward to a Friend campaign. You can spread the word so others in our community can join us all in building a Better Bus network for our National Capitol Region.

Make it a New Year's resolution to forward this newsletter to three friends by the end of the month! The more people who receive this newsletter, the more people who can stay informed, share their feedback, and make the bus better for everyone.

Click here to forward!

Test Your Knowledge!

How well do you know the region’s bus network? For bragging rights only… 😉

By what year has Metro committed to converting to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet?

A. 2029
B. 2030
C. 2038
D. 2045

How did you do on our last quiz?

What is the bus route with the highest ridership in the Metrobus system?
The correct answer was Route 70 (Georgia Avenue-7th Street) which had 6,132 customers on an average weekday in 2022. Kudos to all of you who guessed correctly, and good luck on this next quiz! Check back in the February edition to see how you did.