MetroExtra: Georgia Avenue Express
Are you a Georgia Avenue commuter in Washington DC? Have you been looking for something more from WMATA in your mass transportation options? Then its Metrobus to the rescue with
MetroExtra!
The MetroExtra Route 79 is a rush-hour service on Georgia Avenue with brand new buses. Servicing fewer bus stops, running every 10 minutes, weekdays from 6-9:30 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m., and at the same price as Metrobus, MetroExtra promises quicker travel time and less stress along the heavily traveled corridor.
As your DC transit foamer, I have a few observations about the Metroextra Bus:
- The seats are quite nice. They are all bright blue and way more comfortable than the usual Metrobus seats.
- The driver area is wired with all manner of cameras and electronics. There are cameras facing the street, you, and even the bus driver, who reports that if a driver tries to use a cell phone, dispatch immediately tells the driver to stop via an intercom system.
- Yet the isle is still too small with preference given to seating passengers instead of more space for standing ones. On my trip the bus was full with only one row of isle-standing riders. Of course the back door grapplers were in full effect too.
Overall, while the Metroextra express bus is a great idea, my timings confirmed my suspicion: its not worth the extra wait.
If you are headed up or down Georgia Avenue during rush hour, take the first bus headed your way, no matter its type. The Metroextra will not arrive at your destination any sooner than a regular bus unless they both arrive & depart your starting point at the same time.
Post Author:
wayan | 11:24 AM |
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Why does the DE40LFR in the photo have a an amber LED run number but appears to have flipdot destination signs? I would think the WMATA would want modern signs to go with their modern buses. Amber LED signs are much easier to read from longer distances and at night than flip dot signs.
Those arent flip dots. Thats a Luminator Gen 4 Spectra multicolor sign. I think the other reason why it has an LED run number sign is because they might have specd that for those buses. I don't see these going to another garage since they are dedicated to the 79 line.
