Percent Access to Frequent Transit Map

Data Source: Open Data DC and American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates. Why This Matters Public transportation is critical for connecting people to work opportunities and basic services such as groceries and healthcare. For some, public transportation might be the only option for getting to these destinations. The availability of frequent transit also benefits traffic safety. Traveling by bus is over three times safer than traveling by car, while also reducing the number of collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Nationally, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities disproportionately rely on public transit. In many U.S. cities, these communities also disproportionately face less frequent service and longer public transit commute times, which can create barriers to essential opportunities and services and negatively affect health and quality of life. The District Response The District Government provides significant funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or “Metro”) to provide rail and bus services. Metrorail provides over 600,000 trips a day and is the second busiest rail system in the United States. Metrobus provides over 400,000 trips a day and is the sixth busiest bus system in the United States. The District Department of Transportation’s Kids Ride Free Program allows District residents who are ages 5 through 21 and enrolled in a school within the District to ride free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator while traveling within the District The District Government is currently replacing all bus shelters to improve safety and comfort while waiting for the bus to arrive.