Hunting Point–Ballston Line Explained

Box Width:250px
Number:10B
Subheader:Hunting Point–Ballston Line
Operatorlogo:WMATA Metrobus logo.svg
Oplogo Width:250px
System:Metrobus
Operator:Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Garage:Four Mile Run
Livery:Local
Status:In Service
Open:December 31, 2001
Predecessors:10C, 10D
Locale:Fairfax County
City of Alexandria
Arlington County
Communities:Huntington, Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Parkfairfax, Arlandia, Avalon Bay, Shirlington, Nauck, Arlington Heights, Buckingham, Ballston
Landmarks:Hunting Point, Braddock Road station, The Village at Shirlington, Shirlington Transit Center, Ballston Quarter, Ballston–MU station
Start:Hunting Point
Via:Glebe Road, 2nd Street South, Walter Reed Drive, South Kenmore Street, Shirlington Road, Mount Vernon Avenue, Washington Street
End:Ballston–MU station
Level:Daily
Frequency:30 minutes
45-60 minutes (Daily Evening Service)
Day:4:45 AM – 1:32 AM (Weekdays)
5:45 AM – 1:34 AM (Saturdays)
5:45 AM – 11:38 PM (Sundays)
Timetable Link:Hunting Point–Ballston Line
Ridership:610,937 (FY 2023)[1]
Transfers:SmarTrip only
Previous Line:10A
Next Line:11Y

The Hunting Point–Ballston Line, designated as Route 10B, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Hunting Point and Ballston–MU station of the Orange and Silver lines of the Washington Metro. This line provides service within the neighborhoods in Fairfax County, Alexandria, and Arlington County. Alongside the neighborhoods, it also brings service through the marketplace, businesses, and offices within the counties.

Route and service

The 10B operates from Four Mile Run Division 7 days a week. The 10B operates between Hunting Point and Ballston station via Mount Vernon Avenue, Washington Street, Walter Reed Drive, and Glebe Road. The 10B runs through the neighborhoods in the City of Alexandria, such as Arlandia and Old Town, within Mount Vernon Avenue. The 10B also runs through the neighborhoods in Arlington County, such as Ballston, Buckingham, Arlington Heights, Shirlington, and Avalon Bay. Within the neighborhoods, the 10B runs through marketplaces, businesses and offices in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County.

History

The Hunting Point–Ballston Line was introduced in 2001, during the simplification of the 10 line. The 10B was once originally part of the Alexandria–Arlington–Pentagon Line (now Alexandria–Pentagon Line) with other routes from the 10 line, until the line splits into two lines in the 1990s.[2]

Alexandria–Arlington Line

The 10B started its service as part of the Alexandria–Arlington Line, alongside service of the 10C and the 10D following the split with routes 10A and 10E in the 1990s.[3] From the split, the 10B operated from Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington Virginia to Hunting Towers, with select trips operating up to Old Town Alexandria near Braddock Road Station. The 10C operates between East Falls Church Station and Hunting Towers, while the 10D operates on the same interval, with the extension to Seven Corners Center. The 10C operates during weekdays, while the 10D operates only on Saturdays.

The 10C and 10D was discontinued on December 30, 2001, and replaced by Arlington Transit routes 51 and 52.[4] [5] Following these changes, the line was renamed to Hunting Towers–Ballston Line until 2012, when the line is renamed to Hunting Point–Ballston Line.[6]

December 2001 changes

On December 30, 2001, the 10B was rerouted to operate via Arna Valley (now Avalon Bay) and Shirley Park.[4] This brings in more service at Shirley Park, where the 10B can connect to routes 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22F of the Walker Chapel–Pentagon Line. Service on South Glebe Road between West Glebe Road and Arlington Ridge Road is provided by routes 23A and 23C of the McLean–Crystal City Line.

2013 proposed changes

In 2013, WMATA proposed two options to the 10B.

Outside of the changes of the 10B, WMATA is also proposing to add a new MetroExtra route, the 10X, to operate alongside the 10B. The new 10X will operate on limited stop, bring faster service from the 10B during peak-hours. Unlike the 10B, the 10X will not operate via the neighborhood of Nauck, Shirlington, Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road station, however, it brings in service via Jefferson Davis Highway (now Richmond Highway).

The reason why WMATA planned these changes was to make the 10B reliable, and to reduce travel times travel towards Ballston–MU station. The 10X would make the line more reliable, when there is faster service on Glebe Road.[7]

March 2014 changes

On March 30, 2014, the 10B was rerouted back to South Glebe Road, where it originally operated before December 30, 2001.[8] Service to Arna Valley is provided by Arlington Transit route 87. These changes also occurred to reduce redundancy with ART 87.

June 2016 changes

On June 26, 2016, all late night short 10B trips was converted to full route trips to adjust travel times of the route.[9] The 10B will no longer end at Washington Street and Pendleton Street on late nights, and will continue to operate until Hunting point.

December 2018 changes

Due to the West Glebe Road bridge construction, service will be rerouted through Interstate 395 on December 30, 2018.[10] Route 10B no longer operates through Parkfairfax.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Metrobus FY2023 Annual Line Performance Report . wmata.com . April 27, 2024. May 28, 2024.
  2. Web site: Metro Reroutes Many N.Va. Buses . The Washington Post . 28 April 2020.
  3. Web site: 2000 10A,E: Hunting Towers–Pentagon Line; 10B,C,D: Alexandria–Arlington Line . June 25, 2000 . December 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20000823014122/http://www.wmata.com/Timetables/VA/10a-e.pdf . August 23, 2000 . dead .
  4. Web site: 2001 10A,E: Hunting Towers–Pentagon Line; 10B: Hunting Towers–Ballston Line . December 31, 2001 . December 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030615213435/http://www.wmata.com/timetables/va/10a-e.pdf . June 15, 2003 . dead .
  5. Web site: ART Routes 51 and 52: Ballston - Virginia Hospital Center - East Falls Church . December 27, 2001 . December 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20011227202550/http://www.commuterpage.com/art/Ballston.htm . December 27, 2001 . dead .
  6. Web site: Metrobus service changes continue 'better bus' program . 20 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20130325070812/http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5468. March 25, 2013. dead.
  7. Web site: VIRGINIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2014 . 22 May 2020.
  8. Web site: Metrobus Service Changes, Beginning March 30. www.wmata.com . June 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20140316170150/http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=2902&t=bus. March 16, 2014. dead.
  9. Web site: Metrobus Service Changes June 26, 2016 . www.wmata.com . 28 April 2020.
  10. Web site: Metrobus service changes effective December 30 to optimize performance, extend cash-free pilot .