Frequently Asked Questions

The case for high-capacity transit

The District of Columbia lays claim to one of the nation’s top mass transportation networks, however compared to the rest of the District, there are visible differences in MetroRail and Circulator station locations, ridership, and last-mile connectivity for Wards 7 and 8 (East of the Anacostia River). There are a variety of ways to address the transit gap for residents, commuters, and visitors who need to travel north or south along the Anacostia River Corridor. Given the conversion of DC-295 will also necessitate a mode shift away from private vehicles, we recommend focusing transit investments on highcapacity transit along the Corridor. High-capacity transit refers to modes of transit that can carry a large number of passengers and requires “more frequent service, fewer stops, and faster travel speeds” than a regular bus system.[46] Transit systems that meet these criteria include bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail, underground subway, and streetcar.

The case for bus rapid transit (BRT)

While all four high-capacity transit options would be possible in the Anacostia River Corridor, a BRT system offers the benefits of high-capacity transit for a fraction of the cost and construction time.[47] Compared to a regular bus, a Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, system is considered high-capacity transit in that it has more frequent service, fewer stops, and faster travel speeds. Other characteristics of BRT often include dedicated lanes, stations with shelter and seating, and off-board fare collection which makes quick, all-door boarding possible. The average time to construct a BRT system is one to two years, compared to two to three years for light rail and four to ten years for subway systems.[48] This means that a BRT running between the Deanwood Metro Station and Anacostia Metro Stations could offer new, high-quality connections for residents traveling north-south along the corridor within a year of DC-295’s removal. Despite being cheaper and faster to construct than light-rail and subway systems, BRT systems have a track record of attracting high levels of ridership, suggesting the District could meet the travel demands of the corridor following the conversion of the highway to a boulevard without investing in new railways. To learn more about bus rapid transit systems, check out the “Bus Rapid Transit” deep dive.