Ridership on the WMATA bus system, down an estimated 13 percent between 2012 and 2017, will need drastic innovations to reverse, according to a new report by the Bus Transformation project.
The Bus Transformation Project released a report that "lays out more than two dozen recommendations for transforming the Washington [D.C.] region’s bus network into one that is centered around customers’ needs, is financially sustainable and embraces innovation and technology," reports Luz Lazo.
The Bus Transformation Project was undertaken by leadership at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an executive steering committee chaired by Robert Puentes of the Eno Center for Transportation, a technical team, and a strategy advisory panel.
Among key actions recommended in the report: making boarding easier through mobile or off-board payment systems; enhancing affordable options with free transfers between bus and rail and reduced fare passes for low-income riders; and improving the rider experience with efficient next-bus technology, modern fleets, clear system maps, and safe and accessible bus stops.
FULL STORY: Study: It’s past time the D.C. region transform its bus network
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