The Sierra Club's Washington, DC Chapter endorses a call for a limited stop bus on 14th St. NW. The Sierra Club's Policy on Urban Environment, adopted in 1986, urges the "improvement of transit systems, including operating... subsidies where necessary to maintain reasonable fares and safe, frequent service."
Bus services on 14th St. NW are some of the region's busiest, with 15,000 passengers on an average weekday traveling within several of the busiest neighborhoods in the District. The high passenger volume and many stops result in overcrowding and unreliable service.
In 2012, WMATA and DDOT released a study recommending the implementation of limited-stop MetroExtra Route 59 bus service along the 14th St. NW corridor, "as an overlay (i.e., in addition) to the modifications proposed for the underlying local bus service along the corridor."
Additional bus service is needed along 14th St. NW to enhance travel capacity along the corridor. However, the high volume of local buses on the corridor means that only limited-stop buses can add surface capacity without further impacting congestion and reliability.
Adding limited-stop buses would improve reliability, service frequency, and reduce travel times for riders both on the limited-stop and the local bus routes. Since the new bus route would act as an addition to the local bus routes on 14th St. and would not decrease their level of service, the new bus capacity would reduce crowding and delays on local buses as riders shift to the limited-stop route.
Shorter travel times and increased bus frequency would improve service on the corridor overall, making it a more attractive and equitable form of transportation. This would attract more riders who may have otherwise used private vehicles, reducing traffic congestion and car pollution, and improving the quality of life for all the residents along the corridor.
The Sierra Club, Washington DC Chapter urges the Mayor to adopt the study’s recommendations, and budget for limited-stop bus service for 14th St. NW.
(Photo by Bossi, via Flickr)