County Board approval
On July 16, 2016, the County Board unanimously adopted the new Transit Development Plan (TDP) which provides a road map for Arlington Transit (ART) and Metrobus service improvements through 2026. Read the press release
Responding to community concerns that the planned service improvements may not support the Columbia Pike corridor’s growth and revitalization, the County Board directed the County Manager to explore improvements such as customized bus vehicles, larger articulated buses and more frequent off-peak service that could encourage more people to use transit.
Final recommendations – May 2016
To develop the final bus service recommendations, the County surveyed Arlington residents about how they currently use transit and where they want to see improvements. Feedback on the draft recommendations, presented to the community in February, showed strong support for additional off-peak and weekend service and new direct connections to activity centers. This feedback, along with extensive technical analysis of the County’s current bus service, helped shape the final recommendations. Route-by-route details for the recommendations are listed below.
- Overview presentation – County-wide recommendations and changes proposed for Columbia Pike and Crystal City-Pentagon City
- ART recommendations – Route-by-route details for ART bus service
- Metrobus recommendations – Route-by-route details for Metrobus service
The plan recommends implementing the following bus service improvements by summer 2020: a new north-south connection between Rosslyn and Shirlington; more frequent service from Dunn Loring to Ballston via Arlington Boulevard; more frequent service along Glebe Road; a new connection between Crystal City, National Airport and Shirlington; and a new connection between Buckingham and the County’s Department of Human Services facility at Sequoia.
Premium bus service planned for Columbia Pike, Pentagon City, Crystal City
A major feature of the plan is the creation of a Premium Transit Network connecting Columbia Pike, Pentagon City and Crystal City. The premium network will offer bus service that is fast, frequent, reliable and easy to use, with features including simplified bus routes, increased weekday and weekend service, and a new one-seat ride from Skyline to Crystal City.
About the TDP
The Transit Development Plan is a State-required study of the County’s transit service. It helps identify transit service needs, prioritize improvements and determine the resources required for implementing modified or new service. The plan also provides a foundation for requests for State funding, one of the County’s main funding sources for transit. The TDP builds upon the goals and policies adopted by the County Board in the Master Transportation Plan and the associated Transit Element.
The TDP is updated every six years, and the State requires annual status updates. In early 2015, Arlington submitted its annual update to the TDP prepared in 2010.
The new FY 2017-2026 Transit Development Plan is due to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation in summer 2016.
Timeline
Spring 2015 – Ask for community input, through a survey, about transit needs in Arlington
Fall 2015 – Report back to the community on the initial assessment of transit needs and possible strategies and ask for feedback
Winter 2016 – Release draft recommendations for transit service improvements and ask for community feedback
Summer 2016 – County Board review and approval of the TDP