Metro Adjusts Bus Service After Red Line Headaches

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Authorities implemented adjustments to Metro's shuttle service on Thursday, just three days into the agency's summer of Red Line work.

As of Thursday, local shuttle boarding is relocated to Bus Bay K, where the C83 and D96 bus stops are located on Wisconsin Avenue. In turn, the two bus lines will be relocated to the shelter on Western Avenue.

No changes are being made to the express shuttle, which will remain on the 5300 block of Wisconsin Avenue.

New Parking Spaces Added

In addition to the bus service adjustments, commuters will also be given access to a total of 100 parking spaces at Metro's Western Division Bus Garage, near the former Lord & Taylor. Drivers are asked to follow the signs labeled "customer parking."

The lot will only be available to drivers during general rail service hours, which run between 5 a.m. and 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday.

On the weekend, service starts at 6 a.m. and runs until 2 a.m. on Saturday and 12 a.m. on Sunday.

Related: Closures Are Coming To Metro's Red Line

Overnight parking won't be made available, and towing services will be in effect.

What's At The Root Of Commuter Frustrations?

The latest changes come as part of the agency's efforts to ease frustrations aired by commuters who were left stranded in long lines this week.

Metro announced months ago that it would close stops between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations so workers could build a new mezzanine in Bethesda to connect the Red Line to the Purple Line.

In March, when the agency revealed how it would be handling commuter traffic, officials said travel times could range between 26 and 48 minutes, depending on the shuttle service taken by residents.

By train, a ride between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights takes about 10 minutes.

The construction work is expected to run until Sept. 7.