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    1. Bus

    DC: Metroway Premium Transit Service Starting This Summer

    July 1, 2014
    First phase of Crystal City-to-Potomac Yard corridor service set for Aug. 24.
    Related To: WMATA-Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
    Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority
    The new Metroway bus being put into service by Metro
    The new Metroway bus being put into service by Metro

    Thanks to a partnership between the city of Alexandria and Arlington County, residents of the Crystal City/Potomac Yard (CCPY) Corridor will benefit from new transit service this summer. 

    Called “Metroway,” in recognition of the premium service that has unique customer amenities, the new service will move riders between the Braddock Road and Crystal City Metrorail stations in bus-only lanes for the most congested portions of the route.

    “The City is very excited about Metroway, and we can’t wait for service to start in Alexandria later this summer," said Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille. "The Route 1 corridor was designated as a priority transit corridor in Alexandria's Transportation Master Plan, and it's rewarding to see this innovative project come to fruition. Not only does this project represent our continued investment in regional infrastructure, but it also encourages transit as an essential mode of transportation by providing a high-quality option for travel within the corridor."

    Metroway service will be phased in over the next year.  When the service begins in August, it will feature separate dedicated bus lanes -- or a “transitway” -- many new stations, greater bus frequency, later night service, and seven-day a week service to riders in Alexandria and Arlington. The new stations include weather protection, bench seating, lighting, comprehensive passenger information and are fully ADA compliant.

    In subsequent phases of Metroway’s service introduction, the stations will house real-time passenger information displays and fare collection machines — allowing customers to pay their fares prior to boarding. A first for the Metrobus system and the region, this will speed boarding and improve service reliability.

    “We're delighted to be partnering with Alexandria on the region's first dedicated transitway - using separated lanes to encourage travelers up and down the Route 1 corridor to choose transit rather than their cars,” said Arlington County Board Vice Chair Mary Hynes. “We're proud to be working the kinks out now so that the region's Priority Bus Corridor Network can be smoothly implemented over the next 15 years.”

    At the start of service, customers will see Metroway buses operating every 12 minutes along the full route. During rush hour, customers will enjoy service every six minutes between the Crystal City Metro station and South Glebe. During weekday off-peak hours, buses will run every 12 minutes and on weekends, every 20 minutes.

    Metroway features coming this summer

    • New travel options between Crystal City and Braddock Road, including a direct link to the Potomac Yard shopping center
    • New weekend and late night service
    • Buses will travel on a bus-only transitway along Route 1 from Potomac Avenue to E. Glebe Rd
    • New transit stations in the Alexandria transitway
    • Customers will experience new buses, with the unique Metroway branding that differentiates it from other transit service

    Metroway features coming in 2015

    • Opening of additional transitway in Arlington from S. Glebe Road to Crystal City
    • Extension of Metroway to Pentagon City
    • Off-board fare collection and use of all-door boarding
    • Traffic signal optimization to ensure Metroway maintains its schedule
    • Real-time bus arrival displays

    “We are extremely pleased to launch Metroway in the CCPY Corridor, a first for Metro and the region,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “As a result of coordinated partnerships, this new premium service will provide faster commutes, better connection to existing and developing retail areas, and expand economic growth within the Arlington and Alexandria communities along Route 1.”

    With many features similar to bus rapid transit service found in other cities, Alexandria and Arlington are jointly constructing the transitway for the new Metroway service. This project is the Washington metropolitan area's first right-of-way dedicated to premium bus operations, designed to encourage transit use along the heavily travelled CCPY corridor as well as support residential and job growth in the area.