The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has adjusted its free Red Line shuttle bus service in an attempt to improve travel times and reduce bus congestion at the Silver Spring Transit Center, according to a WMATA news release.
On Friday, the transit authority announced its decision to replace the Red Line Limited 2 shuttle loop with two new express loops. Prior to the change, the Limited 2 loop traveled from the Forest Glen Metro station to the Silver Spring station and then to Fort Totten and featured “longer than originally estimated” travel times, according to WMATA.
The two replacement loops took effect Monday and include the Forest Glen Express, which operates between Forest Glen and Fort Totten, and the Silver Spring Express, which operates between Silver Spring and Fort Totten.
“The implementation of the new express loops will allow shuttle operation and normal bus service to operate more efficiently, allowing customers to reach their destination faster,” WMATA said in the release.
The transit authority estimates 50 minutes of travel time for the new Forest Glen Express and 40 minutes for the new Silver Spring Express. The Downtown Express, which offers weekday-only service between Silver Spring and Metro Center in Washington, D.C., has an estimated travel time of 45 minutes, according to WMATA
Free Red Line shuttle bus service remains in effect until Aug. 31 during Metrorail operating hours, according to the transit authority.
WMATA introduced free shuttle service as an alternative transit option for commuters impacted by the temporary closure of five Red Line Metro stations on June 1. The Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring stations remain closed due to construction of the light-rail Purple Line. Transit authority officials expect the closures to continue through Aug. 31.
WMATA officials also released updated travel time estimations for all routes involved in the free shuttle service. According to the transit authority, traffic and Metropolitan Branch Trail construction on Blair Road have led to longer than expected travel times.
As of Monday, WMATA estimates 65 minutes of travel time for the local service shuttle that serves all six stops between Glenmont and Fort Totten and 45 minutes for the limited-stop service shuttle that serves Glenmont, Wheaton and Fort Totten.
According to the transit authority, commuters can expect shuttles approximately every eight to 12 minutes on all loops but says “customers may experience longer wait times during rush hours and should add extra time to their commutes.”