Fri Jul 18 11:30:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**D.C. Area Shifts Transit Focus to Buses, Raising Questions for the Future**

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Washington D.C. region is making a bold move to prioritize buses over rail in its transportation strategy. WMATA, the area’s transit authority, has rolled out its “Better Bus Network,” a comprehensive overhaul aimed at improving service frequency and reliability while maximizing existing rail lines.

This shift comes as transit agencies nationwide grapple with budget constraints and changing ridership patterns. While rail ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels, bus ridership has surged, prompting a reevaluation of resource allocation.

The “Better Bus Network” includes streamlined routes, consolidated stops, and improved navigation, all designed to make bus travel more efficient and user-friendly. Suburban Maryland agencies have also launched redesigned bus systems. Montgomery County aims to introduce bus rapid transit along the Route 355 corridor, and Northern Virginia is considering a vast bus rapid transit network.

However, this bus-centric approach requires difficult trade-offs, such as reallocating resources from existing routes and potentially reducing service in some areas. The move also faces the challenge of redistributing street space away from cars and parking to accommodate buses.

The decision to prioritize buses reflects the high costs and lengthy timelines associated with rail projects. A proposed new rail project to reduce a bottleneck in the central D.C. corridor was estimated to cost $30 billion to $35 billion and take two decades to build.

While buses are seen as the future of mobility, rail remains a critical part of the region’s transit network. Some argue that rail investments should not be sacrificed, and that there are opportunities to better utilize existing rail infrastructure.

The success of this bus-focused strategy remains to be seen, but advocates are optimistic. If buses can deliver reliable connections and reduce travel times, it could serve as a model for other cities facing similar transit challenges.

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