Washington DC is known for its important history, lively culture, and changing city. In addition to the large workforce in the city, Washington DC draws countless visitors from all over the world, making the need for effective transportation solutions increasingly important.
Metro, officially known as Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is the cornerstone of public transportation within the city and its suburbs. Other bus lines also connect the city with suburban Virginia and Maryland. Recently, a surge of bike and scooter share services like Capital Bikeshare and Lime have offered a new, eco-friendly alternative for short trips around the city, while rideshare services like Uber and Lyft provide more flexible travel options.
This guide delves into the smooth commuting and travel options available in the DC area, all of which can be showcased using Actionfigure® Screen / TransitScreen®. TransitScreen displays were first developed within Mobility Lab, sponsored by the Arlington, VA government, and first deployed in Arlington and DC.
Actionfigure’s expertise and leadership in the Greater Washington area makes it the obvious choice for any transit display need. But don’t take our word for it – according to a study by the US Department of Transportation, Actionfigure’s TransitScreen® transit displays offer the best experience for employees, residents, and tenants seeking transportation information. Discover more about the various transportation choices shown on transit displays in DC below!
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), commonly known as “The Metro”, is the primary public transportation operator in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. It provides a comprehensive network of subway (Metrorail) and bus services (Metrobus) that link the District of Columbia with surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia.
Actionfigure Screen provides Washington D.C. commuters and visitors with real-time updates from WMATA, delivering instant schedules and departure times for the Metrorail and Metrobus. Whether you’re heading to work, visiting the monuments, or on your way to a Capitals game, WMATA offers a dependable and efficient mode of transportation throughout the capital.
Metrorail
The WMATA Metrorail, commonly known as Metro, features six color-coded lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green, connecting 98 stations across Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. Known for its cleanliness and ease-of-use, Metro allows convenient travel between any two stations with at most one transfer.
Metrobus
The WMATA Metrobus system serves as a comprehensive bus network throughout Washington D.C. and extends into the neighboring Maryland and Virginia areas. This extensive bus service is a key commuting option for residents within the capital and its suburbs, facilitating convenient and reliable transportation for work, school, and other daily activities across the metropolitan region.
More Bus Options
In addition to Metrobus, DC offers a variety of bus lines that connect commuters from DC to Maryland and Virginia. Greater Washington DC has more transit agencies than almost any other city of its size. The good news is that transit displays like Actionfigure Screen provide real-time information on all bus options in the DC area, including Arlington Rapid Transit (ART), the DC Circulator, Alexandria DASH, Montgomery County’s Ride-On, Prince George’s County TheBus, Fairfax Connector, MTA commuter buses, PRTC, Fairfax City CUE BUS, and Loudoun County Transit buses. For those traveling in and out of the Capital, these bus options are a very practical choice.
Circulator
The DC Circulator operates a streamlined bus network in Washington D.C., effectively connecting key points across the city and into Northern Virginia. This service is particularly beneficial for D.C. residents and workers seeking an affordable and efficient commuting option. With routes designed to facilitate easy access to major landmarks, business districts, and residential areas, the DC Circulator stands out as a practical transportation choice for navigating the capital.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Commuter Bus
The Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA) Commuter Bus provides a comprehensive network that links key regions across Maryland to DC, offering an essential commuting solution for workers residing in or around these areas.
Arlington Transit (ART)
Arlington Transit (ART) offers 16 routes in Arlington County, Virginia, by connecting neighborhoods to major transit hubs and stations like Metrobus. The system offers a range of routes that serve various parts of the county, including Columbia Pike, Ballston, Pentagon, and Crystal City, with services designed to meet the needs of a diverse community. Special programs like the free iRide Card for local students also demonstrate ART’s dedication to accessible transit for all age groups.
Alexandria DASH
The Alexandria DASH (Driving Alexandria Safely Home) is a free bus service within Alexandria, Virginia that integrates with other major transit systems like Metrobus, Metrorail, and the Virginia Railway Express. DASH has notably embraced a fare-free policy to make transit more accessible to all passengers, underlining its commitment to equitable and convenient transportation. For the Alexandria resident, commuter, or traveler, DASH offers a zero-cost, zero-emission option.
Fairfax Connector
The Fairfax Connector is Northern Virginia’s largest local bus system, offering transportation across 93 routes to roughly 26,000 daily passengers. The system serves a number of communities through Fairfax County, including Herndon, Reston, Tysons, Springfield, Mount Vernon, as well as areas of Alexandria and Arlington.
Montgomery County Ride On
Ride On bus service offers a comprehensive network of routes across Montgomery Country, Mayland, including areas like Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda, Germantown, and Langley Park. Today, Montgomery County Ride On operates over 80 routes and serves nearly 60,000 daily passengers.
Bikeshare Programs
Bike-sharing programs have seen a rise in popularity across the nation, and Washington, D.C. is a leading example. With a variety of bikeshare options available, residents, commuters, and visitors can conveniently make trips throughout the DC area.
Capital Bikeshare
Capital Bikeshare is Washington D.C.’s largest bike-sharing service and has cemented itself as an indispensable part of the city’s transportation network. Since its inception in 2010, the service has recorded over 25 million rides across over 700 stations and 5,000 bikes, all organized through their mobile app. Unlike the other bike sharing options in DC, Capital Bikeshare offers both traditional and electric bicycles.
Other Bike Share Options
In addition to Capital Bikeshare, various companies including Lime, SPIN, and VeoRide offer their own unique twist on electric bicycles for rent. Whether commuting, exploring or simply enjoying a bike ride, DC natives and tourists have a wide variety of bikeshare options to choose from.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on nearby bike stations and availability. With this data, bikers easily locate rentable bicycles around them and utilize them to fit their transportation needs.
Scooter-Sharing Programs
In addition to bikeshare programs, scooter-sharing systems have rapidly gained traction in Washington D.C., becoming a favorite among both residents and visitors. DC offers a variety of scooter-sharing options, including Lime, SPIN, Bird, and Lyft. These electric scooters can easily be rented through a mobile app and can easily be navigated throughout the city at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.
Actionfigure Screen offers details on local scooter-sharing options in Washington D.C., including availability and station locations. With this information, riders can effortlessly find nearby scooters and get around the nation’s Capital in a quick, fun way.
Rideshare Services
Rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft have transformed urban mobility, offering users the ability to hail a ride effortlessly through a mobile app. Recently, Uber has reintroduced sharing options UberX Shared, offering an even cheaper and environmentally friendly travel option. DC also has a large shared taxi fleet which can be used using Uber’s app and at taxi stands.
Actionfigure Screen delivers live updates on rideshare service availability, including the wait times for Uber and Lyft in DC, enabling commuters to efficiently plan their trips. With access to this real-time data, travelers can optimize their schedules, reducing wait times and seamlessly integrating rideshare options into their daily commutes.
Car Share: Free2move
Innovative car-sharing and subscription services like Free2move have made their way into Washington, D.C. and allow users to easily rent vehicles through a mobile app. With over 600 vehicles at disposal, free metered parking, and a full tank of gas, Free2move offers a personalized, convenient way to travel. Whether running a quick errand or taking a long weekend trip, car share services like Free2move allow residents and visitors in DC to get from point A to point B privately without actually needing to own a car.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on car sharing and rentals on Free2move. With this pairing, users can seamlessly integrate Free2move into their daily transportation needs.
Real-Time Sustainable Transit Displays
Washington D.C. is served by a rich array of transportation options, including the public transit networks of the Metro and other bus lines, as well as a variety of bike-share, scooter-share, and rideshare services. Even more, multiple universities in DC offer shuttle services that connect campuses to key places in the area – free of charge. Whether commuting to work, traveling back to campus, or simply exploring all the area has to offer, DC offers an expansive array of transportation options.
With the integration of all these transportation options and information on transit displays like Actionfigure Screen, commuters and visitors can easily navigate Washington, D.C., making well-informed choices for their journeys across the Nation’s capital.
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