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.
WMATA to purchase 919 buses under 5-year plan
Of the 919 buses, roughly 75% are replacements, including 250 CNG and 455 clean diesel and hybrid-electric buses.
More Management

Report Examines Where Public Transit Delivers the Greatest Cost Advantage Over Driving
A new study found commuters in several major U.S. cities could save hundreds of dollars each month by taking public transit instead of driving, with Los Angeles ranking as the nation’s most expensive city for car commuters.
Read More →
Washington's Community Transit Celebrates 50-Year Milestone
The milestone highlights both the agency’s history and its evolving role in meeting the region’s growing mobility needs.
Read More →Managing Complexity: HDR’s Brian Buchanan on Delivering Major Transit Programs
HDR’s transit program management lead discusses the challenges of overseeing large capital projects, adapting to cost and supply chain pressures, and the capabilities agencies need to build for the future.
Read More →
NFL Draft Delivers Big Ridership, Revenue Boost for Pittsburgh
Over the three days, PRT recorded 485,000 rides, reflecting the extraordinary number of trips taken as people traveled throughout the region for Draft events, work, and daily life.
Read More →
The Expanding Role of Advisory in Transit Delivery
Garo Hovnanian explores how agencies can better navigate competing priorities, strengthen decision-making, and prepare for a future shaped by electrification and emerging mobility.
Read More →
NJ TRANSIT to Expand Cleanliness, Safety, and Accessibility Under New Action Plan
The plan includes investments in cleaner vehicles and upgraded stations, NJT LiveView to provide real-time GPS tracking of train and light rail service, enhanced safety initiatives through a new Real Time Crime Center, and the debut of a redesigned NJ TRANSIT mobile app.
Read More →
ABQ RIDE Forward's Next Phase Sets Target Date
ABQ RIDE Forward is the first transit system overhaul in more than 25 years. This latest phase marks 15% completion of the 16-phase rollout, which will continue over the next several years.
Read More →
New Orleans RTA Signals Leadership Shift, Opens National CEO Search
During the meeting, the board approved a resolution invalidating a previously amended contract and authorized Board Chair Ann Duplessis to negotiate a separation agreement with CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
Read More →
STV Launches Power Practice and More in Biz Briefs
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from SilverRide, Complete Coach Works, and more.
Read More →
FTA Announces $28.5M Investment for Transit-Oriented Development Planning
The Pilot Program for TOD Planning helps support FTA’s mission of improving America’s communities through public transportation by providing funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning with a new fixed-guideway or core-capacity transit capital investment.
Read More →