MetroExtra is a limited-stop service operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates on Metrobus lines that need extra service with faster trips. There are six MetroExtra routes with only two of them having daily service.
History
The service began in 2007 with an express service of the Georgia Avenue-7th Street Line, 79.[1] The route would follow its local counterpart but only serve the most important stops.
In 2008, a study was released along the 16th Street corridor to improve the line by both WMATA and the District Department of Transportation. The corridor averages a weekday ridership of 16,000 making it the third most heavily used line in the Metrobus system, Parts of the proposal were to create a new route S3 which would be shortened routes S1, S2, and S4, and create a limited stop route S9.[2] These 2 routes would then become the most popular MetroExtra routes.[3]
On September 29, 2002 route 16Y began service, the first bus route to provide service in Downtown Washington since 1983.[4] However, it didn't become a MetroExtra route until 2012 (along with route 16F).[5] When route 16X discontinued in 2018,[6] route 16Y became the only MetroExtra to operate in Virginia.
In 2015, WMATA proposed a new MetroExtra route, Q9. The route would provide limited stop service supplementing the Veirs Mill Road Line. The route would operate between Rockville station and Wheaton station and be the first Metro Extra route to operate exclusively in Montgomery County, Maryland.[7]
Fleet
MetroExtra uses the same fleet as Metrobus. However, the buses are coated blue and have the MetroExtra logo slapped over the Metrobus logo for easier identification.[8] Some of the yellow signage has also been recolored green.
Routes
MetroExtra routes follow the same numbering as local Metrobus routes. Although, they typically end with a 9.
- MetroExtra routes in Washington, D.C. have either a two digit number (59, 79) or a letter followed by a 9 (S9, X9)
- MetroExtra routes in Montgomery County, MD have a letter followed by a 9 (K9, S9, Q9)
- MetroExtra routes exist in Prince George's County, MD but are mainly in Montgomery County or Washington, D.C. so no route follows the rule of having a letter followed by two numbers (F12, J12, P12, etc.)
- MetroExtra routes in Northern Virginia have one or two numbers followed by a letter. Although there is only one MetroExtra route in Virginia and the only MetroExtra route to not have a 9. (16Y)
These routes have existed in the past but were discontinued. However, most local service along these routes remained.
References
