WMATA to purchase 919 buses under 5-year plan

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unveiled its five-year bus plan, which budgets $877 million for various improvements including buying 919 new buses. Buses will be equipped with real-time information capability, which will allow passengers to find out their exact arrival times via phone or from electronic displays at major stops. In addition, signal priority systems will be expanded. Of the 919 buses, roughly 75% are replacements, including 250 CNG and 455 clean diesel and hybrid-electric buses. One hundred and eighty-five buses, funded through Metro Matters, and 29 buses for the D.C. Circulator would add to the current fleet of more than 1,400. The bus buys will drop the average fleet age from nearly 10 to 7.5 years by 2010, which is expected to improve service reliability. WMATA will also purchase equipment for garages and maintenance facilities.