Columbia Pike–Farragut Square Line

The Columbia Pike–Farragut Square Line, designated Route 16Y, is a rush hour-only MetroExtra bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the neighborhood of Barcroft and McPherson Square station of the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines of the Washington Metro. This line is part of the Pike Ride service, which runs through Columbia Pike. This line provides service to Barcroft in Arlington County, Virginia and McPherson Square in Washington, D.C.

16Y
Columbia Pike–Farragut Square Line
Route 16Y along 17th Street
Overview
System	Metrobus
Operator	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Garage	Four Mile Run
Livery	MetroExtra
Status	In Service
Began service	September 29, 2002[1]
Route
Locale	Arlington County Northwest (Washington, D.C.)
Communities served	Barcroft, Arlington Heights, Penrose, Lyon Park, Downtown
Landmarks served	Farragut Square, McPherson Square
Start	Barcroft
Via	Columbia Pike, Arlington Boulevard, K Street NW
End	McPherson Square station
Other routes	16A, 16C, 16E, 16G, and 16H
Service
Level	Weekday Peak Hour Service Only
Frequency	5-20 minutes
Operates	5:55 AM – 9:47 AM, 3:30 PM – 7:52 PM
Transfers	SmarTrip only
Timetable	Columbia Pike–Farragut Square Line
Route map ← 16L  {{{system_nav}}}  17B →

Route description and service

The 16Y operates from Four Mile Run Division every 5 minutes from 5:55 AM – 9:47 AM and 3:30 PM – 7:52 PM on weekdays during rush hours. Morning rush 16Y trips head to McPherson Square station, while afternoon rush 16Y trips head to the neighborhood of Barcroft. During morning 16Y trips, D.C. stops can only be alighted; during afternoon 16Y trips, D.C. stops can only be boarded.[2] The 16Y serves limited stops through the entire route, bringing faster service in Columbia Pike. The 16Y splits service from Columbia Pike to head towards Lyon Park from South Courthouse Road towards Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50), all the way to D.C. through the Roosevelt Bridge (Interstate 66). Route 16Y is the only MetroExtra route that serves Virginia. Local Columbia Pike service is provided by Route 16E, Route 16G, and Route 16H. Local bus service is also provided on Arlington Transit Routes 42, 45, and 77 through the neighborhood of Lyon Park, and the Pershing Drive–Arlington Boulevard Line (Route 4A) through Arlington Boulevard up to Rosslyn.

History

Route 16Y began service on September 29, 2002, becoming the first bus route to run through Downtown D.C. since the opening of the Yellow Line in 1983.[1] The 16Y was also created by WMATA to provide limited stop/ express service between the neighborhood of Barcroft and McPherson Square station via Columbia Pike, Arlington Boulevard, and the Roosevelt Bridge.[2] The original 16Y route serves limited stops on Columbia Pike between South Four Mile Run Drive, and South Courthouse road, until it runs non stop to Downtown, serving all stops until McPherson Square station. The 16Y serves Farragut Square Station, both the North and the West side, before arriving to McPherson Square.

The 16Y became part of the Pike Ride route in 2003, alongside with the other 16 lines.[3] As part of the Pike Ride project, the 16Y brings in more faster service during rush hours through Columbia Pike.

The 16Y became a MetroExtra route in 2012, alongside with route 16F (later 16X) of the Columbia Pike–Federal Triangle Line.[4] This groups the 16Y, as an limited stop routes, while all other 16 lines are local routes which serves all stops in Columbia Pike. Alongside with the addition of MetroExtra Better Bus program, it brings more reliable service on the 16Y when more times was added throughout the years.[5]

April 7, 2003 Changes

Starting on April 7, 2003, the 16Y added service to the Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS)/Sequoia at South Courthouse Road and 2nd Street South.[6] This stop became a "Boarding Only" during morning peak periods, and "Boarding and Alighting Only" during afternoon peak periods. From the addition of the stop, the 16Y eliminated the alighting only stop at the neighborhood of Penrose on Columbia Pike, as the 16Y will no longer run on Washington Boulevard, south of Walter Reed Drive.

June 27, 2010 Changes

The 16Y began to add more service through South Courthouse Road.[7] The 16Y started to serve on the intersection of 6th Street South to bring more stops to the route. As the DHS/Sequoia stop at 2nd Street South is a Boarding Only stop on morning peak period, this new stop allows access to DHS/Sequoia by walking.

September 30, 2012 Changes

The 16Y began to add service through Lyon Park and Fort Myer near Arlington Boulevard, by adding more stops to bring more service on the 16Y.[5] The DHS/Sequoia stop is no longer a Boarding Only stop on morning peak hours, after service on Washington Boulevard and Arlington Boulevard was added. Alongside these changes, the 16Y now operates near Fort Myer on Arlington Boulevard and North Pershing Drive. Unlike its original timetable, this stop is both Boarding and Alighting during peak hours.

September 2020 proposed changes

On September 10, 2020 as part of its FY2022 proposed budget, WMATA proposed to eliminate route 16Y service in order to reduce costs and low federal funds.[8][9] If this proposal succeeds, there will be no MetroExtra routes left in Virginia. Route 16Y has not operated since March 13, 2020 due to Metro's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

1. "This week in Metro (Monday, September 30, 2002)". Retrieved 30 May 2019.
2. "Metrobus service to change on Sept. 29, 2002". September 17, 2002. Archived from the original on October 5, 2002. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
3. "Pike Ride - Bus Service on Columbia Pike". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009.
4. "Coming soon: Less bus bunching, more MetroExtra". Retrieved 2 July 2019.
5. "Metrobus service changes continue 'better bus' program". Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
6. "Metrobus service changes to Columbia Pike-Farragut Square Line (16Y) set to begin on Monday, April 7". Retrieved 22 November 2019.
7. "Metro to adjust schedules on 11 Metrobus routes in Maryland, Virginia". Retrieved 22 November 2019.
8. "FY2021 Budget Update; FY2022 Budget Outlook and Approval for Public Hearing for FY21 Budget Amendment" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2020.
9. "Proposed Service Adjustments by Jurisdiction" (PDF). Retrieved 27 September 2020.