Backlash for Bus Service Cuts Proposed by D.C. Metro

A recent episode of the Kojo Nmamdi Show on WAMU in Washington, D.C. dug into proposed service reductions on the bus routes on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system, as included in a fiscal year budget released in February.

Here the show's website explains the context for the show:

Last month, WMATA released their FY2021 budget. The transit authority is proposing consolidating or eliminating bus lines, in an effort to cut expenses. Dozens of bus lines across the region are in jeopardy of being cut or merged due to low ridership. Although these plans are not finalized, riders are protesting the cuts.

Guests on the show include Margaret Barthel, WAMU transportation reporter; Rob Puentes, chair of ENO Transportation and board member of the Bus Transformation Project; and Brian Turmail, chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3B.

As explained in a February 7 article by Barthel, the WMATA is proposing the cuts as a mean to "reduce redundancy, make routes easier to understand and prune lines with low ridership." According to Barthel, "Metro also says the cuts will allow for better weekend service, increased bus frequency on some lines and free transfers between rail and buses. Eighteen lines also could have service expanded under the budget plans."

Barthel's coverage of the propose cut also includes soundbites from bus riders and local officials who oppose the service cuts.

A Planetizen article from May 2019 shares information about the plans by the Bus Transformation Project to improve bus service around the D.C. region. Opponents of the service cuts have claimed the proposed cuts are antithetical to the plan proposed by the Bus Transformation Project.