Trying to make your way through Metro’s bus lines can be a harrowing experience — most route maps show only a single line and the rest is left to trial and error, critics say.
In an effort to make the system more user-friendly, the transit system unveiled the first of thousands of new bus maps that transit officials hope will help better link Metro’s rail and bus lines with other services across the region. Metro spent $1 million on the first batch and plans to install the new maps on all of the region’s estimated 2,500 Metro-owned and jurisdictional-owned bus shelters by 2008.
“Now a passenger standing at a particular shelter can see all the services available from that location,” said Metro interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini. “It’s much more user-friendly, and helps tie the whole transit system — bus and rail — together.”
Metro began installing the large color-coded maps — about 3.5-feet high and 5-feet wide — in shelters and near the exits of 86 rail stations this week and hopes to install 900 by fall.
Meanwhile, gas prices and spring weather have led to a nearly 10percent surge in weekday ridership recently, up from an estimated 436,000 on March 1 to 451,000 on April 7.
The maps are part of what Metro Board Chairwoman Gladys Mack has called the “Year of the Bus.” Metro has been criticized for failing to improve its bus service, and officials have acknowledged that no significant route changes have been made in decades.
More on the maps
» New maps highlight different bus routes serving a stop on an enlarged portion of regional street maps with a “You Are Here” insignia.
» The frequency of buses for all the routes serving particular stops at stations is listed along with other local and area bus carriers, such as Arlington Transit, Ride On and the D.C. Circulator.
» Rail stations, commuter rail lines, landmarks and points of interest are also highlighted with information about how to get there by bus.
» The maps include directions in English and Spanish.
