Metrobus 30s Line Study Improving Your Customer’s Transit Experience Virginia Transit Association

1. Metrobus 30s Line Study Improving Your Customer’s Transit Experience Virginia Transit Association May 20, 2008 1

2. The 30s and M6 Metrobus Lines and DC Circulator Service The purpose of the study is to improve the performance of these bus services 2

3. Study Process Operational Related Concepts Rider Survey Evaluation of Concepts Identify Issues and Concerns Regarding 30s & M6 Line Develop Recommended Improvements WMATA and DDOT Project Approval Service Concept A: Enhance Existing Services Route Analysis Public Workshops Service Concept B: Split the Line with Overlapping Routes Public Workshops Public Hearing Public Meetings Service Concept C: Rapid Bus Service Service Concept D: System of Coordinated Market-Based Routes We are here June / July August September October November/December January/February 3

4. What Will We Be Doing at Today’s Workshop? Purpose of the meeting is to review the 30s Line project draft recommendations: • Review the principles that guided recommendations • Comment on draft recommended service, operations, customer communications improvements • Discuss next steps During the breakout session, be prepared to comment on: • How the changes will affect your trip • Additions or refinements to the recommendations 4

5. What We Learned from Participants at the October Public Meetings • Vision • The 30s Line serves a community that: • Is economically vibrant with expectations for continuing growth • Includes destinations of national, regional and local importance • Has a long tradition of transit service alignment, stops, and connections • Represents multiple travel markets inclusive of major activity centers, mixed use corridors and residential neighborhoods • Incorporates major District initiatives to accommodate future growth and enhance quality of life • Relies on bus and rail transit as a major component of day-to-day life 5

6. What We Learned from Participants at the October Public Meetings • Purpose • Improve customer experience on 30s Line • Update services and operating plans to sustain good performance • Improve reliability and travel times • Establish a strategy for implementing recommendations • Plan for future demand, new services and to accommodate DC initiatives 6

7. What We Learned from Participants at the October Public Meetings Overarching Principles Do no harm. Disfranchisement of existing rider access or mobility is not an acceptable trade-off Serve market purposes - ensure that the plan meets the diversity of travel needs Avoid inequity; all areas along the 30s Line merit quality services, Consider the needs of seniors, the disabled and those who do not drive Recommendations must be sustainable and take into account funding constraints Changes/enhancements can be phased in gradually Do something! 7

8. Service Recommendations 8

9. Service Recommendations Maintain Local Bus Routes • Maintain existing service from Naylor Road and Southern Avenue Metro to Friendship Heights • Serves all stops along the route 9

10. Service Recommendations Add New Limited-Stop Services • Adds new limited-stop service in NW and SE that overlaps Downtown and avoids Georgetown congestion • Only stops at specially marked stops 10

11. Service Recommendations Existing and New Neighborhood Connectors • Maintain M6 route in SE and adds new Routes M5 in SE and 31 in NW • Serves all stops along route 11

12. Operations Recommendations Highlights • Enhanced Service Supervision with supervisors stationed all along the route to track vehicles and communicate with drivers to reduce bunching and improve schedule adherence; • Increased Enforcement of Parking Restrictions so no-parking zones aren’t blocked during peak hours; • Adjustments to Signal Timing and queue jump lanes at key intersections to improve bus travel times and minimize delay; • Explore options for future peak hour Transit Only Lanes along H and I Streets NW and Portions of Wisconsin Ave NW and Pennsylvania Ave SE. 12

13. Customer Service and Communications Recommendations Highlights • Completion of DC Shelter Program including new shelters and better maintenance • Updated Schedules that are easier to read with new information cases where needed • Greater use of On Board Announcements when there are major delays, detours, or if buses need to be held back for schedule adherence • Improved Safety and Security with enhanced police presence at stops near crime hot-spots • Expanded Route Specific Training and information for drivers • Establishing and distributing information on standard and recurring Route Detours 13

14. GROUP DISCUSSIONS 14

15. Workshop Group Reports 15

16. How Can I Continue to Participate? • Continue to advocate for making changes to the 30s line happen • Comment cards • Daytime Open House on Wednesday December 12 from 12 pm to 2 pm at WMATA HQ Building • Riders Advisory Council on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6pm at WMATA HQ Building (contact jpasek@wmata.com) • WMATA Board Meetings (contact boardofdirectors@wmata.com) • Public Hearings • Website: www.metrobus-30s-dc.com • Project Hotline: 703-682-5060 • Participate in post-implementation service reviews and evaluation 16

17. Next Steps 17

18. Special Thanks To: • Public meeting participants • Bus riders that completed the surveys • Riders Advisory Council • 30s Line bus drivers and supervisors • St Columba’s Church, Pennsylvania Ave Baptist Church, and St Francis Xavier Church for providing the space for the public meetings • District Department of Transportation staff • Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) • Neighborhood Associations • Business Improvement Districts • Transit, environmental, and civic organizations • WMATA bus operations, customer service/marketing, police, planning, and other staff who participated in this process 18