[NationalHarbor] Fwd: FW: WMATA Asking Riders to Recommend New Bus Route Names | DCist and Mass Transit

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Subject: FW: WMATA Asking Riders to Recommend New Bus Route Names | DCist
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*Subject:* WMATA Asking Riders to Recommend New Bus Route Names | DCist and
Mass Transit

*AAC Members, here's our chance to help create new, better names for
WMATA's bus routes.  Take the survey at **wmata.com/betterbus
<http://wmata.com/betterbus>**.*

[image: Image removed by sender. DCist logo] <https://dcist.com/>

*https://dcist.com/story/23/09/19/wmata-plans-to-rename-metrobus-routes-it-wants-your-ideas/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=DCIST_DAILY_09_19_23&utm_content=DCist+Daily+-+9/19+B*
<https://dcist.com/story/23/09/19/wmata-plans-to-rename-metrobus-routes-it-wants-your-ideas/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=DCIST_DAILY_09_19_23&utm_content=DCist+Daily+-+9/19+B>

Metro Is Surveying Riders On New Bus Route Names

*Metrobus lines are currently designated by numbers and letters. *

*Suzannah Hoover | DCist/WAMU | Sept. 19, 2023*

Metro plans to rename its bus routes for the first time in 50 years, using
responses to an online *survey*
<https://selfserve.decipherinc.com/survey/selfserve/225e/230801#(> open
until Sept. 28.

The current naming system, which Metro calls “outdated,” has been in place
since the agency took over the region’s bus companies and streetcars in 1973
<https://mocoshow.com/blog/metrobus-celebrates-50-years-of-serving-customers-in-the-national-capital-region/>
.

“Trying to figure out the various Metrobus routes can be a puzzle with a
mix of letters, numbers, and street names, express or limited-stop
service,” Metro said in a *statement*
<https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Better-Bus-Better-Names-survey.cfm>.

Compared to other major metropolitan regions, the naming system can seem
confusing and inconsistent for riders. Route names for Metrobus include
numbers, like lines 42 and 62, as well as letters before numbers, such as
the L2 and H2. Some routes reverse that and have numbers before letters,
like 30N.

The names are not entirely random and do follow a set of rules
<https://ggwash.org/view/77060/8w-30n-u7-the-origin-behind-metrobus-numbers-explained>
(sort of).  For example, routes with numbers before letters are often (but
not always) based in Virginia.  Routes with letters followed by numbers
tend to be in D.C. and Maryland.  Bus routes with just numbers are radial
or hub lines in the District, linking to a central point. Routes for radial
lines in D.C. are distinguished by names with just numbers, but
confusingly, others are just letters.

The survey prompts respondents to offer feedback on new route name ideas,
which include naming routes to reflect major streets or states they serve,
or reflecting how often the bus arrives at each stop.

“Our region needs more consistency across all facets of bus stop design
including signage and real-time information, accessibility, lighting and
other safety elements, plus modernized shelters, seating, and other
amenities,” Metro’s General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said in a
statement. “Engaging and collaborating as a region will help make a better
transportation system for us all.”

The new naming system is part of Better Bus
<https://wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/about-the-project.cfm>, a
larger initiative by Metro to revamp its bus network.  Earlier this year,
Metro released maps
<https://dcist.com/story/23/04/17/metro-redesign-whole-region-bus-routes/>
for the reimagined network, which includes new routes, more frequency
(20-minute frequencies for 100 routes) and 24-hour service. Metro is also
partnering with agencies outside the District, such as Montgomery, Prince
George’s, and Fairfax counties.

An initial network called “Year One” – using Metro’s current level of
staffing and resources – will be implemented in 2024.

<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Ev%5EDeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>[image:
Image removed by sender. Mass Transit News & Views Daily E-Newsletter]
<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Ev%5EDeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>
<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Ev%5EDeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>

<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Evveeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>[image:
Image removed by sender. Mass Transit News & Views Daily E-Newsletter]
<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Evveeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>
<https://endeavor.omeclk.com/portal/wts/uemc%7C9eggjv6eh%7CAvLjC0%5Evveeg%7CqDFbbFqXMB2%3BBHQJmgEdOgzOB0OwTd>

WMATA to revamp bus system and simplify routes with Better Bus, Better
Names campaign

*Mass Transit | Sept. 18, 2023*

For the first time in its 50-year history, Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority (WMATA) is looking to revamp its bus system and simplify
routes with its Better Bus, Better Names campaign.

WMATA has opened a survey to ask the public how WMATA can name bus routes
to make it easier for customers to understand and use the Metrobus system.
The survey will be open until Sept. 28.

“Our region needs more consistency across all facets of bus stop design,
including signage and real-time information, accessibility, lighting and
other safety elements, plus modernized shelters, seating and other
amenities,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “Engaging and
collaborating as a region will help make a better transportation system for
us all.”

During the past year, WMATA launched its *Better Bus Initiative*
<https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/press-release/53057073/wmatawashington-metropolitan-area-transit-authority-wmata-kicking-off-next-phase-of-better-bus-network-redesign-with-50-events-in-50-days>
to
better meet the region’s needs and improve the customer experience, from a
redesigned network, including priority bus lanes and technology,
standardized stops and shelters, making connections across all transit
providers easier and developing a simpler route naming system as part of a
customer-focused bus network.

As part of its Network Redesign Initiative, WMATA will use the results of
the survey to select a route naming convention to apply to the draft Year
One network – a bus network that can be implemented with the same staffing
and resources as today - in the next round of engagement in winter 2024.

The survey is available at: *WMATA's website*
<https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Better-Bus-Better-Names-survey.cfm>.
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