Get Metrobus On the Map

 Sierra Club Mid-Atlantic Office

May 13, 2003

Get MetroBus on the Map
A Proposal to Increase MetroBus Ridership Through Better Bus Information

This proposal originated based on the following notions:

a)      MetroBus routes are a mystery for residents and visitors in the Washington, DC metropolitan region;
b)      The mystery of where buses run results in ridership levels being lower than they could be;
c)      Public information about MetroBus routes should be as useful and easy-to-obtain as about MetroRail;
d)      Taking the mystery out of MetroBus would result in higher ridership levels; and
e)      Higher MetroBus ridership levels would help improve air quality in our region.

The specific ideas described below were devised so that when a DC-area traveler is about to travel from point A to point B - especially a new route - that traveler will have convenient access to the information needed to consider MetroBus as a viable option. Certainly there are other effective ways to increase public awareness. These are intended as core components to take the mystery out and Get MetroBus on the Map.

Core components and their basic rationale:

1.    Provide free, easy-to-read, portable bus system maps.  MetroBus system maps cost $1.50, one for DC-MD, one for DC-VA. MetroRail maps are free. While producing MetroBus system maps is more complex and costly, the public is fundamentally-entitled to free system maps to illustrate the bus route options available to take people where they want to go. Without easily-available, free system maps, the publicly-funded MetroBus will continue to be a significantly less viable option than it could be.

2.    Make maps available at more places. Currently, they can be obtained at only three locations in all of DC, all within one mile of each other in NW: 1) Metro Center stop on MetroRail's Red Line; 2) Metro Headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW; and 3) The Map Store, 1636 I Street, NW. They should be available at bus/rail stations and public agency buildings. Private sector sponsorship and distribution of printed bus system maps are an additional option. New York City is just one example of a city that offers and even mails their bus system map for free upon request.

3.    Make public aware of availability of MetroBus on-line and printed system maps. People don't know that bus system maps even exist. Their availability needs to be visibly-promoted on Metro's web site, on individual route schedules, on buses, and at bus stops and bus and rail stations.

4.    Make large bus system maps publicly-visible to promote familiarity. a) Post the maps at all bus shelters, highlighting bus routes serving those shelters; b) Update and upgrade pole maps at all bus stops, and post visible bus route number and destination at all bus stops; c) Add area bus routes to Neighborhood Maps inside MetroRail stations; d) Install Neighborhood Map structures near MetroRail stations, showing area bus routes; and e) Add one DC-MD-VA bus system map on each MetroRail car.

5.    "Metro" must promote an integrated transit system that includes both MetroBus and MetroRail. Use of the word “Metro” to refer only to MetroRail de-emphasizes MetroBus as a transportation option and must be discontinued: a) MetroRail kiosk staff and bus drivers must be able to inform the public about connecting with nearby bus and rail lines; b) Useful information about both systems must be available on buses and trains, and at stations; and c) Metro should further prod advertisers to include details on rail and bus stops serving their location. Since receiving this proposal in October 2002, Metro has posted previously-omitted directions to its headquarters by bus, and added an on-line bus system map www.wmata.com/metrobus/maps/dc.pdf. We need to continue this change in our mindset to provide the public with a more useful, truly integrated transit system.

NEWS RELEASE

Sierra Club Mid-Atlantic Office

For Immediate Release:  September 10, 2003                    

Sierra Club Praises Arlington County For
Improving Bus Information on Columbia Pike

Metro Urged to Follow Arlington’s Lead

Arlington, VA – The Sierra Club today praised Arlington County for providing extensive new bus information in the Columbia Pike corridor as an important way to promote bus ridership and reduce pollution.

“We salute the Arlington County Board and the Department of Public Works for helping take the mystery out of the bus system,” said Elise Annunziata, Sierra Club Senior Regional Representative and a resident of the Columbia Pike corridor.

“Simple, easy-to-understand information about where buses go is a critical way to get more people out of their cars and on the bus,” she continued.

The new bus information and maps are part of the County’s “Pike Ride” initiative to improve bus service on Columbia Pike. The expanded information includes a new “Pike Ride” map showing all Metrobus and Arlington Transit (ART) routes on Columbia Pike, as well as connecting routes. The map was mailed to all households near Columbia Pike, hand-delivered to all businesses on the Pike, and will be displayed at all 53 bus stops along the Pike in a large format. In addition, every bus stop has been outfitted with large route numbers and schedules.

“Arlington County is an undisputed role model for our region in providing clear information for existing and potential bus riders,” said Dennis Jaffe, a Sierra Club member in Washington, D.C. who has spearheaded a region-wide initiative to convince Metro to improve bus information. The proposal, “Get Metrobus on the Map,” calls upon Metro to: make bus system maps free and widely available; post bus system maps in bus shelters, rail stations, and inside rail cars; provide route number, destination, and schedule information at every Metrobus stop; ensure that bus drivers and Metrorail kiosk staff can provide information to customers on nearby bus and rail connections; and encourage businesses and organizations to provide information about bus routes serving their location.

Annunziata said Arlington County’s efforts are helpful toward seeing improvements throughout the area. “We hope that Metro will follow Arlington’s lead and take similar steps around the region.”

Since receiving the Sierra Club’s proposal, Metro has added an online bus system map for MD, DC and VA and agreed to distribute 200,000 free bus system maps in 2004. Information about Get Metrobus on the Map is available on-line at: www.sierraclub.org/dc/sprawl.

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