Georgia Ave. to Get Express Bus Route

Metrobus riders along Georgia Avenue, one of the system's busiest bus corridors, will have more rush-hour service starting Monday with the launch of an express bus service that will run every 10 minutes and make fewer stops, officials said.

Metro Extra service will cost as much as regular Metrobus service, $1.25, and SmarTrip cards will be accepted. The new 79 route is not replacing the 70 and 71 routes but is providing additional service between the Silver Spring Metro station and the Gallery Place-Chinatown and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stations downtown.

Metro Extra buses will make about 15 stops, compared with 54 stops made by 70 and 71 buses, cutting travel time for riders.

The express buses are equipped to extend green lights at certain intersections, but the technology won't be used until the District Transportation Department tests its effectiveness, a department spokesman said.

The Metro-operated service is being paid for mostly by the District because most of the service is in the city. The bright blue buses will run weekdays from 6 to 9:30 a.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m.