WMATA Proposes Huge Cuts to Arlington Bus Routes

ARLINGTON, DC — Metro's woes don't just apply to the rail system: bus riders in Arlington are about to feel the sting of major budget cuts in the form of losing bus routes.

WMATA is proposing shutting down nine bus routes that run through Arlington, particularly in the southern portion of the county near the Pentagon.

WMATA is facing a budget gap of about $290 million and is desperately trying to cut costs as problems deepen with the rail system, and that means bus riders in Arlington will have to pay the price if the proposed fiscal 2018 budget is approved as-is.

Transit union members and riders flooded into a public hearing at WMATA headquarters Monday night to plead with leadership to avoid dumping routes, according to WAMU.

Metro is proposing cutting all or part of the following routes to save money:

• LINCOLNIA-PENTAGON LINE – ROUTE 7X
• ARLINGTON-UNION STATION LINE – ROUTE 13Y
• CHAIN BRIDGE ROAD LINE – ROUTES 15K, 15L
• COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WEST-PENTAGON CITY LINE – ROUTES 16G, 16H, 16K
• COLUMBIA PIKE-FEDERAL TRIANGLE – ROUTE 16X
• KINGS PARK LINE – ROUTES 17A, 17B, 17F, 17M
• BURKE CENTRE LINE – ROUTES 18P, 18R, 18S
• ANNANDALE-EAST FALLS CHURCH LINE – ROUTE 26A
• LEESBURG PIKE LIMITED LINE – ROUTE 28X

For greater detail on the proposed cuts, click here to access WMATA's proposed budget document (PDF).

Image via WMATA