A group of Chevy Chase residents are again asking WMATA not to reduce service on a Chevy Chase bus line that many use to get to the Friendship Heights Metro station.
WMATA has proposed route improvements, service reductions or elimination on 84 of the system’s routes, including the E6 Chevy Chase Line that runs from the Friendship Heights Metro to the Knollwood Retirement Home in D.C. mostly along Western Avenue.
The route never crosses into Maryland, but members of the 800-home Rollingwood Citizens Association don’t want to see service curtailed.
“The E6 serves a significant portion of the Rollingwood community and it is the only mode of public transportation to the Friendship Heights metro station. Like our neighbors in the District, many in the Rollingwood community rely on the E6 for our daily commute, shopping needs, doctor appointments, etc. Since 2008, the E6 ridership has increased by approximately 25%,” Rollingwood Citizens Association President Fritz Hurst wrote in a letter to WMATA.
WMATA is proposing to discontinue eastbound trips leaving Friendship Heights at 5:46 a.m., 6:40 a.m., 8:39 a.m., 3:20 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:42 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. It also wants to discontinue westbound trips leaving Knollwood at 6:02 a.m., 6:58 a.m., 8:58 a.m., 3:38 p.m, 4:21 p.m., 5:03 p.m. and 9:07 p.m.
WMATA says it is averaging just five passengers per trip.
The transit organization says the changes will improve on-time performance and serve more riders across the system. It projects one rider for every 15 who benefits may be inconvenienced by any of the proposed changes.
Residents in Chevy Chase, D.C. opposed similar service cuts to the E6 line two years ago.
Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-Bethesda-Chevy Chase) also wrote WMATA in opposition to the proposed service cuts.
“Ridership on this route has increased since this issue was last visited in 2011, so there is even less justification for eliminating this route now than when it was last proposed. A significant number of seniors live in these areas and rely on this route for everyday access to businesses, medical facilities, local amenities, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, this is the only transit option to the Friendship Heights metro station. A cutback in services to this line would pose a significant burden on these residents and force them to walk great distances or rely on single occupancy vehicles thus adding to local congestion,” Berliner wrote.
Metro has an online survey regarding the proposed service changes that closes on Tuesday, which is also the last day for public comment.
Flickr photo by nailsduffy
