Pennsylvania Avenue Limited Line Explained

See also: Wisconsin Avenue Limited Line.

Number:39
Subheader:Pennsylvania Avenue Limited Line
System:Metrobus
Operator:Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Garage:Andrews Federal Center, Shepherd Parkway
Status:Eliminated
Open:June 29, 2008
Close:September 5, 2021
Locale:Prince George's County, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest
Communities:Foggy Bottom, Federal Triangle, Capitol Hill, Downtown, Barney Circle, Fairlawn, Good Hope, Naylor Gardens, Hillcrest
Landmarks:Potomac Park, Foggy Bottom-GWU station, White House, Federal Triangle, Archives station, National Mall, U.S. Capitol, Capitol South station, Eastern Market station, L’Enfant Square, Hillcrest, Naylor Road station
Start:Potomac Park
Via:Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Avenue
End:Naylor Road station
Level:Midday weekdays only
Transfers:SmarTrip only

The Pennsylvania Avenue Limited Line, designated Route 39 was a limited weekday peak-hour only MetroExtra route that operated between Naylor Road station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro and Potomac Park. The route gave limited stop service to local Metrobus routes 32, 34, and 36.

Route

The line operated along the Pennsylvania Avenue Line, mainly the 36 while only serving a few stops of the line. After Pennsylvania Avenue, the line went its separate ways from the 36 and followed the F14 along Southern Avenue. Similar to their local counterpart, Route 39 was supplemented by the now eliminated Wisconsin Avenue Limited Line, operated by route 37.

The line operated out of the Andrews Federal Center division with some trips operating out of Shepherd Parkway.

Stops

History

Route 39 originally operated as the Friendship Heights-Van Ness-UDC Line and operated between Friendship Heights station and Van Ness-UDC station.[1]

The line was reincarnated and began service on June 29, 2008, replacing routes 30, 34, and 39 along with routes 31 and 37. The route only operated up to Foggy Bottom-GWU station.[2]

On December 15, 2019, the route was to travel across the National Mall along 4th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW to improve safety and provide more direct service. Routing along 7th Street was discontinued.[3]

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, WMATA suspended all 39 service on March 16, 2020.[4]

Elimination

During the suspension, WMATA proposed to eliminate Route 39 on their FY2021 budget.[5] WMATA backed out of the proposal in April of said year.[6] However, on September 5, 2021, the route was eliminated.[7] Service is now only provided by local routes 32 and 36 with route 34 eliminated as well.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Metro Sets Shuttle Bus Link For SE Residents . Washington Post . 3 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Metro launches major overhaul of 30s Metrobus line . www.wmata.com . 3 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Metrobus Service Changes Beginning Sunday, December 15, 2019 . www.wmata.com . 3 April 2024.
  4. Web site: Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday . www.wmata.com . 4 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Metrobus Service Changes, August 23 . www.wmata.com . 4 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Metro Backs Away From Significant Bus Service Cuts . WAMU 88.5 . 30 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Metro Service Is Increasing On Sunday, But Some People’s Routines Will Still Be Upended . dcist . 30 May 2024.