The following information will help Commuter Bus riders plan how to get home in the event
of a civil defense emergency. The actual response will depend on the location, time of day,
nature and severity of the incident, and the response of operating motor coach companies.
The MTA will make every effort to provide alternate service for its passengers. Any additional
information will be posted on the Commuter Bus Service Updates page or sent via e-notice
alerts. Click here to sign up for e-mail/text/RSS feeds notifications.
Please be advised that these plans are to be used only in extreme civil defense emergencies.
Follow the normal Weather and Snow Emergency Plan for any weather-related early release
from workplaces or schools.
These D.C. based plans identify two scenarios how riders can return to their home areas or Park &
Ride facilities (except for Route 991, which will follow its usual route):
If Metrorail is Operational
|
Route
|
Action to Be Taken
|
| Routes 901, 902, 905, 907 & 909 |
Take the Metrorail Green Line to Branch Avenue Station. Motor
coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Routes 903 & 904 |
Take the Metrorail Green Line to Suitland Station. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Routes 915 & 929 |
Take the Metrorail Red Line to the Silver Spring Station. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Routes 922 & 950 |
Take the Metrorail Orange Line to New Carrollton Station. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Route 991 |
Take the Metrorail Red Line to the Shady Grove Station. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Route 995 |
Take the Metrorail Green Line to the Greenbelt Station. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
If Metrorail is NOT Operational-
|
Route
|
Action to Be Taken
|
| Routes 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 907 & 909 |
Commuters should make their way to 7th & Maryland Ave, S.W. Motor coaches
will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants.
|
| Routes 915, 929 & 995 |
Commuters should make their way to 15th & P Sts., N.W. Motor coaches will
be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Routes 922 & 950 |
Commuters should make their way to New York Avenue between 7th & 9th Sts.,
N.W. Motor coaches will be dispatched from this location as passenger demand warrants. |
| Route 991 |
Route 991 commuters are advised that a departure from within Washington
D.C. may rely on a transit mode alternative provided by WMATA in the event
that the Metrorail is inoperable. Because most 991 riders use Metrorail for
diverse destinations within the region, motor coaches must operate the
regular route from the Rock Spring Business Park to Frederick (Monocacy MARC Station) via the Shady Grove Metrorail station and the Urbana Park & ride. |
In the event of a civil defense emergency, please listen to emergency instructions from police or civil
authorities on evacuation. While the natural reaction is to immediately head for home, keep in mind
that transit systems and roads will become quickly congested should everybody attempt to leave at
once. If authorities urge delaying your departure, please cooperate and everyone will get home faster.
Routes and emergency plans are subject to change without notice. The MTA recommends its riders
prepare alternate plans to return home. One option should involve public transportation and another
should not be dependant upon transit services.
MTA Transit Team broadcasts may be heard on both AM and FM radio stations and will announce all
emergency updates. Commuter Bus motor coaches comply with all federal requirements to accommodate
passengers with disabilities.
