WMATA's Metroway Bus Now In Operation on Route 1

The Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway opened Sunday, with the introduction of WMATA’s 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 Route 1 corridor as well as support residential and job growth in the area, according to a news release from the City of Alexandria.

Metroway’s bright blue buses travel between the Braddock Road and Crystal City Metro Stations, with stops in Potomac Yard. The Transitway features dedicated bus lanes and high-quality stations along Route 1 between Potomac Avenue and East Glebe Road. Metroway operates seven days a week, with buses every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends.

The first segment of dedicated lanes opened Sunday along Route 1 between Potomac Avenue and East Glebe Road in Alexandria. Over $20 million has been invested in the Alexandria portion of the Transitway. The Federal Transit Administration contributed over $14 million in grant funds, including an $8.5 million TIGER grant.

Arlington County has already begun work on the second phase of the project, which will extend the dedicated Transitway lanes into Arlington from South Glebe Road to Crystal City. Phase II is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2015.

Fares on Metroway are the same as the standard fare on Metrobus -- $1.75 per trip. When the full service premieres in Phase II, Metroway will feature off-board payment that will speed the trip even more. Riders will pay their fares prior to boarding the bus, using SmarTrip® cards, credit cards, or coins at fare machines found at each Metroway station.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Swann Avenue Metroway station on Saturday, City officials were joined by members of the public and representatives from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Arlington County, the Federal Transit Administration, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board, and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Participants had the opportunity to take the inaugural ride on the first phase of the Metroway route.

“The Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway between Braddock Road and Crystal City provides a new connection to growing, thriving neighborhoods and links City residents and workers with the regional transit system,” said Alexandria Mayor and WMATA Board Member William D. Euille. “This is one of many efforts towards our vision of a more livable, green, and prosperous Alexandria.”

PHOTO: WMATA photo