Background Information about the Metrobus 29 Lines Study Questions Overview of Existing Service Q. Why is the study being conducted? A. The 29 Lines provide an important connection between Annandale and Fairfax to the west with Alexandria and the Pentagon to the east. Metro and its local agency partners want to improve service, and are evaluating factors such as crowding, long run times, reliability, destinations, hours of service, bus stop amenities, and traffic in order to address these issues. Q. Who is involved? A. Metro, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and the City of Fairfax. Average number of daily riders Route 29K 29N 29C 29E 29G 29H 29X Weekday 1,778 441 111 116 349 316 158 Saturday 1,194 Hours of service Q. Where are we in the study process? A. About 2/3 of the way through. A rider survey, a focus group, and two public meetings have been conducted, and an analysis of transit service and traffic conditions has been performed. The next step is to develop a set of recommendations and complete the final report in early December 2013. The input obtained at tonight s public meeting about the improvement options will help refine the study s recommendations. Q. When will the improvements be implemented? A. After the Metro approves the recommendations in early 2014. Generally, improvements are phased in over time, based on financial resources. Some enhancements can be implemented in the near future, while others may take longer depending on funding availability. Issues Raised at Public Meetings, August 2013 In addition to the rider survey and focus group, public involvement for the study included two public meetings this summer one at Beatley Central Library in Alexandria and one at NVCC-Annandale. At the meetings, project staff shared the preliminary findings of their analysis so far and talked with participants about potential improvements to Metrobus service on the 29 Lines. The following, in no particular order, is a list of subjects that came up several times each at the public meetings: Add frequency; more trips, especially during peak periods. Coordinate the 29 Line schedules better to make frequency more even; stagger trips. Much enthusiasm for a possible new limited-stop segment in the corridor. Participants were in favor of the idea of extending the 29N from Fairfax Circle to Vienna Metro station. Preference for increased weekend service, particularly on Sundays. Some concern that discontinuing 29K-N service into Landmark Mall may be inconvenient for some riders. Many participants said that frequency isn t as much a problem as reliability it s more important to have existing service arrive and depart on schedule. 1 Span of service could be better; would like earlier and later trips, especially from the Pentagon in the PM peak and from NVCC past 10 pm. Commuter service should end later in AM and start earlier in the PM. Most said they liked the idea of removing 29K-N service from Old Town Alexandria east of King Street Metro, as it would increase reliability and the DASH AT8 still covers that segment. More commuter parking along Little River Turnpike. Look at the direction of the 29X loop in Annandale. Mixed response to the idea of extending a possible 29Y route into Downtown DC. Adjust the route schedules so they re more realistic.
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements The purpose of tonight s public meeting is to obtain feedback from you riders of the Metrobus 29 Lines on a set of possible service improvements. Please review the preliminary recommendations on the following boards and give your feedback on them to project staff members! December 2013 Service Changes Addressed in Public Hearings: 1. Extend Route 29N to Vienna Metro station #3 2. Terminate 29K-N at King Street Metro 3. Create limited-stop segment in Alexandria Additional Potential Service Improvements: 1. Recalibrate running times #4 2. Determine feasibility of consolidating some bus stops 3. Increase span of service on Routes 29K-N 4. Operate service on Sundays 5. Enhance supervision on 29 Lines #5 6. Discontinue service into Landmark Mall 7. Run all-day service on Route 29C 8. Adjust trip times of 29X 9. Consolidate 29G and H into a single variation #6 10. Reverse 29E-X loop direction 11. Convert 29E trips to 29X trips 12. Extend Service from Pentagon to Downtown D.C. 13. Implement new MetroExtra service 14. Update route schedules and maps #7 15. Add NextBus displays 16. Brand services #8 17. Restructure local service 2
29 Lines: December 2013 Service Changes Metro plans to make the following three changes in December, relating to service on the 29 Lines. These plans were addressed at public hearings conducted in September 2013. Extend Route 29N to Vienna Metro Terminate Routes 29K-N at King Street Metro The current western terminal of Route 29N is Fairfax Circle. To provide additional transfer opportunities, this service change will have the 29N continue on to Vienna Metro station. Advantage: Connects the Little River Turnpike corridor to the Orange Line and allows for connections to additional Fairfax Connector and Metrobus routes. This change will have Routes 29K and N terminate at King Street Metro, which will increase reliability for riders on the remaining portions of the routes. However, it would force a transfer for riders who want to take a bus farther into Old Town Alexandria. Advantages: Improves reliability for 29K/N by avoiding congestion east of King Street Metro and eliminates duplication with DASH AT8. ARLINGTON BLVD FAIRFAX CIR Create Limited-Stop Segment in Alexandria Routes 29K and 29N will operate as limited-stop routes, serving the locations in the map below. Advantages: Reduce duplication between Alexandria DASH services and Metrobus services along Duke Street in Alexandria, and reduce travel times to major destinations along the Duke Street corridor. 3
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements (1-4) Option 1: Recalibrate Running Times As a foundation for all other recommendations, the running times (i.e., the time it takes for a bus to get from one end of the route to the other) of Annandale Line services (Routes 29C-E-G-H-X) should be measured by time of day and direction of service. Future service changes can then be developed that will accurately reflect vehicle needs and operating costs. Running times for the Alexandria-Fairfax Line (Routes 29K-N) have already been adjusted for the upcoming December service schedule. Advantage: Recalibrating running times helps improve schedule reliability. Option 2: Determine Feasibility of Consolidating Bus Stops Metro has determined candidate stops for possible consolidation based on a multi-step process: proximity to each other (0.20 miles), distances between stops if removed (0.25 miles), location of stops near Metro stations, and stops with more than 25 boardings or alightings per day were removed from the list of candidate stops for consolidation. At this time Metro has a list of 24 inbound stops and 18 outbound stops that are candidates for consolidation. The next step would be to determine whether it is feasible to consolidate them based on additional criteria. Advantage: Consolidation or eliminating bus stops too close to each other would help speed up travel times and improve reliability. Option 3: Increase Span of Service on 29K-N To meet Metro s own minimum guidelines for span of service (the times of day that service on a route begins and ends), the 29K and N must begin slightly earlier on weekdays. Route 29N must also begin earlier and end later on Saturdays. Currently, service span on the 29C-E-G-H-X routes meet Metro s guidelines. Advantage: Increasing span of service on the 29K-N to meet Metro s minimum guidelines would provide more frequent service in the corridor and provide earlier and later service on weekdays and Saturdays. Option 4: Operate Service on Sundays Currently, Routes 29K-N operate on weekdays and Saturdays only. This option would provide for Sunday service every half-hour all day from before 8 AM to after 10 PM. Advantage: Would provide a new connection on Sundays between Fairfax and Alexandria and meet Metro s own guidelines for service. 4
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements (5-8) Option 5: Enhance Supervision Additional supervision is needed to better manage the 29 Lines. Having supervisors monitor the 29 Lines specifically will allow the routes to flow more smoothly and alleviate bus bunching and other issues. The dedicated supervisors would have line-specific training and a direct line of communication to 29 Line bus drivers and the Metrobus command center. Advantages: Improves route reliability, reduces crowding on buses, enhances customer service. Option 6: Discontinue Service into Landmark Mall Several route transfers are available at Landmark Mall, but service into the mall is time-consuming (about 4 to 6 minutes) due to the location of the stop, especially during busy periods. Public hearings were conducted in September regarding this alternative. Advantage: Reduces travel time for 29K-N riders and reduces delays related to mall circulation. (Note: The 29K-N routes would still stop on Duke Street in front of Landmark Mall; this option would make it so that buses do not access the stop in the mall complex.) Option 7: Run All-Day 29C Service Route 29C currently connects the Pentagon with Northern Virginia Community College-Annandale during peak periods. This option would provide the only localfare connection between the two locations. Advantages: Additional local service along Little River Turnpike, all-day service, and lower fare (local cost) between Pentagon and NVCC. Option 8: Adjust Trip Times of 29X The reduction of Blue Line Metrorail service due to the Rush Plus initiative has had an impact on Route 29X riders. Riders have said that 29X buses depart the Pentagon before Blue Line passengers can reach the bus. This option would modify the 29X PM peak schedule to better coordinate with Blue Line trains. Advantage: Improved coordination between the 29X and Blue Line at the Pentagon. 5
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements (9-12) Option 9: Consolidate 29G and 29H into a Single Variation Routes 29G and 29H serve the same neighborhoods in Annandale, and stop at many of the same stops. This option simplifies service between Annandale and the Pentagon by combining Routes 29G and 29H into a single variation serving Annandale. Three bus stops in Annandale where the 29G and H circulate would no longer be served (on Heritage Drive between Patriot Drive and Killebrew Drive). Advantages: Fewer route variations and more service on the combined variation. In addition, the combined Route 29G/H may charge the local fare and not the Express fare. Option 10: Reverse 29 E/X Loop Direction Riders told the project team that the current Annandale loop on Routes 29E/X is time consuming in the PM due to the direction of the loop. To save time, service along this loop could be consistently operated clockwise during both the AM and PM peak periods. Advantage: Consistent direction of service and reduces the number of bus stops required, saving time for riders. Option 11: Convert 29E Trips to 29X Trips Route 29E and 29X operate along the same routing and serve the the same Annandale neighborhoods outside the Beltway. The difference is that Route 29X operates along the Beltway to access I-395 and the Pentagon, while Route 29E runs on Little River Turnpike to access I-395 and the Pentagon. 29X trips operate in the peak period, in the peak direction, while 29E trips operate along the shoulders of the peak period. To provide consistent service to neighborhoods in Annandale, 29E trips could be converted to 29X trips, with the 29E variation discontinued. Advantages: Additional 29X trips and more consistent service for Annandale residents. Option 12: Extend Service from the Pentagon to Downtown D.C. An express bus route variation could be extended from the terminal at Pentagon Metro station to Downtown D.C. This would allow for a one-seat ride between portions of the Little River Turnpike corridor and a major employment destination in the District. One option is to extend Route 29X into the District. Another option would be to extend a combined 29G/H route to Downtown D.C. that bypasses the Pentagon but instead serves the Mark Center. Advantage: Provides a one-seat ride from portions of Little River Turnpike into the District of Columbia. 6
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements (13-16) Option 13: Implement New MetroExtra Service MetroExtra is the name of branded limited-stop service provided by Metrobus. Two options are available for MetroExtra service along the Little River Turnpike corridor. The first would be to convert the Annandale Line (Routes 29C-E-G-H-X) to MetroExtra service that would operate during peak periods only. The second alternative would be to create a new overlay MetroExtra route along Little River Turnpike that would follow Route 29K. (It is possible that this new MetroExtra service could follow a restructured 29 Lines service to Pentagon City Metro station instead.) The following Little River Turnpike bus stops would be served by a MetroExtra service: -George Mason University (overlay option only) -University Drive at Main Street (overlay option only) -Main Street at Old Lee Highway (overlay option only) -Main Street at Maple Avenue (overlay option only) -Main Street at Pickett Road (overlay option only) -Little River Turnpike at Olley La. (inbound)/persimmon Dr. (outbound) -Northern Virginia Community College; -Little River Turnpike at Heritage Dr. (inbound)/hummer Rd. (outbound) -Little River Turnpike at Medford Road -Little River Turnpike at Backlick Road -Little River Turnpike at John Marr Drive -Little River Turnpike at Braddock Road -Little River Turnpike at Oasis Drive -Landmark Mall -Duke Street at Reynolds Street (inbound)/paxton Street (outbound) (overlay option only) -Duke Street at North Pickett Street (Beatley Library/Cameron Station) (overlay option only) -Duke Street at Jordan Street (overlay option only) -Duke Street at Alexandria Commons (overlay option only) -King Street Metrorail Station (overlay option only) Advantage of Converting Routes 29C-E-G-H-X: Create faster trips for current riders Advantage of MetroExtra Service Along Route 29K: Does not reduce service at any bus stop; provides faster trips Options 14, 15, 16: Update Route Schedules & Maps; Add NextBus Displays; and Brand Services These options would improve amenities available at Metrobus stops, including revised route maps and timetables, electronic NextBus displays at high-ridership locations, and special branding of Metrobus services on the 29 Lines. 7
29 Lines: Preliminary Options for Improvements (17) Local Metrobus service along Little River Turnpike could be restructured to reflect travel patterns in the area and complement the markets that are served by local jurisdiction operators (such as DASH). Option 17: Restructure Local Service - The Alexandria-Fairfax Line (29K-N), which provides all-day service along Little River Turnpike, would continue to have two variations; however, only one variation (29K) would operate in Alexandria, the other would operate to Pentagon City Metro station (29N). - Both variations would operate throughout the day, including Saturday and Sunday. The table below provides a service description for restructuring of service. Restructuring of service does not include, nor does it preclude, a MetroExtra service. Trunk line service along Little River Turnpike would operate every 15 minutes during peak periods and every 30 minutes during off-peak periods. Each branch would operate every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes on weekends. This would ensure that all parts of the 29 Lines corridor would have a level of service comparable to or better than what was proposed in the December 2013 service changes. Advantages: All-day access to Pentagon City Metro; serve new markets. Route Variation 29K 29N 8 Outer Terminal George Mason University Vienna Metro Inner Terminal Service Span Frequency King Street Metro Weekdays 5:45 am to 11:30 pm Saturdays 5:45 am to 11:30 pm Sundays 6:45 am to 11:30 pm 30 minutes: peak 30 minutes: off-peak 60 minutes: weekends Pentagon City Metro Weekdays 6:15 am to 11:00 pm Saturdays 6:15 am to 11:00 pm Sundays 7:15 am to 11:00 pm 30 minutes: peak 30 minutes: off-peak 60 minutes: weekends
Preliminary Options for Improvements: What Do You Think? Potential Service Improvements: I like this I don t like Not sure / option this option no opinion 1. Recalibrate running times 2. Determine feasibility of consolidating some bus stops #4 3. Increase span of service on Routes 29K-N 4. Operate service on Sundays 5. Enhance supervision on 29 Lines #5 6. Discontinue service into Landmark Mall 7. Run all-day service on Route 29C 8. Adjust trip times of 29X 9. Consolidate 29G and H into a single variation #6 10. Reverse 29E-X loop direction 11. Convert 29E trips to 29X trips 12. Extend Service from Pentagon to Downtown D.C. 13. Implement new MetroExtra service 14. Update route schedules and maps #7 15. Add NextBus displays 16. Brand services #8 17. Restructure local service 9
Metrobus 29 Lines: Next Steps December 2013: Finalize recommendations based on public input and additional required analysis; complete final report Winter 2014: approval for short-term proposals Develop capital and operating cost estimates for final recommendations Early 2014: Implementation of short-term proposals approval for long-term recommendations Identify funding sources for long-term recommendations Develop implementation plans for long-term recommendations Stay Involved! Project website: metrobus-studies.com (watch for project updates and uploaded documents) E-mail: info@metrobus-studies.com Thank you for your participation! 10
Metrobus Priority Corridor Study The Alexandria-Fairfax Line: Routes 29K & N The Annandale Line: Routes 29C-E-G-H-X Public Meeting Welcome! Please Sign In