Arlington Transit

Comments

Rose Wells

June 6, 2012, 3:01 PM

ART 53 service has been excellent--very reliable and on-time, and the drivers very friendly and courteous. Because of this service, I can get to work without a car. My only suggestion is that there be weekend service. Thanks so much for asking for rider input.

Susan Hixson

June 6, 2012, 8:59 PM

Perhaps a year ago there was an open meeting where people could comment on proposed changes to several routes, including the 53. I went and was very surprised to learn that the plan at that time was to cut the 53 route so that buses would go only part way from Ballston, then turn around and go back to Ballston. Likewise from East Falls Church. That's a huge change in the route, but everyone I knew on the bus thought the meeting was to be about some time changes, maybe extended hours, so no one else from the 53 showed up. Point is: Please tell what plans are in the works. That would let people know whether they want to show up to discuss the plans.

Thanks

Transit Bureau

June 7, 2012, 2:33 PM

Thank you both for your input.

We are considering many options for ART 53. We need to add an additional peak period bus to guarantee 30-minute service frequencies. To justify adding a bus, however, we need to increase ridership at the same time. For reference, the current minimum standard for cost recovery on ART 53 is 20%. Last quarter, ART 53 only recovered 15.4% of operating costs.

For the meeting on Monday, we’ll have blank maps of the area for folks to draw potential changes to the route for better neighborhood coverage. We’d like to hear from members of the community what they think will work. We will be providing ridership statistics and boarding numbers by bus stop at the meeting, and these will be posted online as well.

Staff reviewed the previously suggested concept of splitting the route. The logical divide would be at the Madison Center, precisely in the middle. However, this does not seem to be a viable option for ART 53 - two additional buses would be needed in this case to provide 30 minute or better peak service.

Thanks again.

Pam Kydes

June 10, 2012, 9:25 PM

Yes, per Ms. Wells' suggestion: Some minimal weekend service, so I could bus down to Clarendon/Courthouse without spending lots of time looking for parking! How nice it would be to be able to take the bus down to Clarendon so we could go to restaurants without using our car. Even every hour, even hour-and-a-half, would be something one could plan around on the weekend days. Thank you. By no means, decrease the current service. I also can commute to work without using a car. Such a free-ing experience!

Annamarie Rice

June 11, 2012, 10:22 AM

I agree that the bus is reliable and that the drivers are very friendly. I commuted on the bus for 1 year and was dependent upon it because it is the only public transportation into our neighborhood without a car. I wish there was weekend service.

Alida Dagostino

June 11, 2012, 12:33 PM

Per previous posts, I agree that the bus service is very reliable and the drivers are friendly - a huge, and welcome change from the city bus lines that serviced my old neighborhood (U Street). I also believe the current routes should not be limited, as it is the only public transportation available for those of us who commute without a car. And, I would also recommend weekend service, even if limited to mornings or evenings. Too often we opt not to use the metro for daytrips into the city on the weekends, or go down to Ballston or Clarendon for dinner because of the hassle of parking.

v.v. cooke

June 15, 2012, 11:31 AM

I apologize I completely forgot about the Nottingham meeting the other day. The only issue I have with the 53 is that in the morning the arrival and departure times overlap the 52. In my perfect world, the 52 and 53 would always be 15 minutes apart since the routes overlap at both ends and then you are never waiting more than 10 minutes or so for a bus. Many thanks.

Bruce E.

June 15, 2012, 5:04 PM

I've no idea what the numbers will show re: passengers per stop, but we rely on the Marcey Rd. stop on Military twice daily. Would hate to see that change.