Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line

The Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line, designated as Route 2A, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Dunn Loring station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Ballston–MU station of the Orange and Silver lines of the Washington Metro. This line provides service within the neighborhoods of Merrifield, Falls Church and Ballston in Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, and Arlington County. Trips are roughly between 15 and 30 minutes on weekdays, and 30 to 45 minutes on weekends.

2A
Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line
Overview
System	Metrobus
Operator	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Garage	West Ox (Weekdays) Four Mile Run (Weekends)
Livery	Local
Status	In Service
Began service	1925
Ended service	2C and 2G: December 29, 2013
Route
Locale	Fairfax County Arlington County
Communities served	Merrifield, Dunn Loring, Idylwood, West Falls Church, Falls Church, East Falls Church, Westover, Bluemont, Ballston
Landmarks served	Dunn Loring station, East Falls Church station, Ballston Quarter, Ballston–MU station
Start	Dunn Loring station
Via	Lee Highway, Washington Street, Washington Boulevard
End	Ballston–MU station
Service
Level	Daily
Frequency	15 minutes (Rush Hour) 30 minutes (Midday Service) 35-45 minutes (Daily Evening Service) 30 minutes (Saturday) 45 minutes (Sunday)
Operates	4:45 AM – 1:41 AM (Weekdays) 5:45 AM – 1:44 AM (Saturdays) 5:45 AM – 12:58 AM (Sundays)
Transfers	SmarTrip only
Timetable	Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line
Route map ← 1C  {{{system_nav}}}  2B →

Route Description and Service

The 2A operates from two divisions; West Ox division on the weekdays, and Four Mile Run on the weekends. The 2A operates between Dunn Loring and Ballston stations via Lee Highway and Washington Boulevard. The 2A runs through the neighborhoods in Fairfax County, such as Merrifield and West Falls Church, within Lee Highway. The 2A also runs through the neighborhoods in Arlington County, such as East Falls Church, Westover, and Bluemont. Within the neighborhoods, the 2A runs through marketplaces, businesses and offices in Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, and Arlington County.

History

The Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line was introduced in 1925, as the route was part of the Alexandria & Suburban Motor Vehicle Company.[1] The Alexandria & Suburban Motor Vehicle Company operated the eastern segment of the line, until it was acquired by the Washington Virginia & Maryland Coach Company in 1927. The western segment of the line was introduced in 1937 by the Arlington & Fairfax Motor Transportation Company, known as the Lee Highway Line. The western segment of the line was later acquired by the Washington Virginia & Maryland Coach Company in 1947, merging the two segments into a single line to be part of the Washington Boulevard Line. It was later operated by WMATA in 1973, when it acquired all routes from the WV&M. Since 1973, the Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line consists of all 2 line. The 2 line provides reliable service within Fairfax county, the City of Falls Church, and Arlington county to connect from neighborhoods, to marketplaces, to landmarks, and to business. Although, the Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line has various names prior to the current name throughout the years.

Washington Boulevard Line

The initial name of the Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line was the Washington Boulevard Line which was the original name since the beginning of service. The Washington Boulevard Line consists of routes 2A, 2C, 2M, and 2W.[2] All 4 routes of the 2 line operated on various schedules, and on different roads. At some point in the 1980s, 2A used to operate between Ballston station and Tysons Corner Shopping Center, until it was replaced by route 2C north of Dunn Loring station. Alongside with these changes, route 2G was introduced, the 2M was discontinued, and the 2W was transferred to the Vienna–Oakton Line. The entire 2 line serves in Ballston station, as it splits into different segments at the neighborhood of Merrifield. Route 2A operates between Ballston and Dunn Loring stations during early morning and late night. Routes 2B and 2G operates the same interval as the 2A, with the extension towards Fair Oaks in Fairfax County. The 2B operates from Monday to Saturday through Fair Oaks Mall, and the 2G operates on weekday peak hour schedules via Flint Hill Office Park and the Gateway Center in Fair Oaks. Route 2C operates in a similar interval as the 2A, by extending the line to Tysons Corner Center. The 2C operates everyday, unlike the other routes in the line.[3] These routes remains the same until December 29, 2013, when the entire 2 line was split to form three new lines. Route 2A became the sole route that operates the original interval, and was renamed the Washington Blvd.–Dunn Loring Line, while the 2B was truncated and transferred to the Fair Oaks–Jermantown Road Line, and the 2C was replaced by the 2T under the Tysons Corner–Dunn Loring Line.[4]

June 2008 changes

On June 29, 2008, route 2G no longer operates via the Gateway Center.[5] The 2G continues to operate via Flint Hill Office Park to Fair Oaks Mall.

2013 Proposed Changes

In 2013, WMATA proposed to modify the Washington Boulevard Line.[6] It was proposed that the 2G to be converted into 2B trips, and the 2B to form a new line as the Fair Oaks–Jermantown Road Line. These changes was to reduce bus bunching on the entire line, as the 2G was a redundancy to the 2B.

December 2013 changes

On December 29, 2013, route 2B splits into two different segments. The eastern segment was replaced by route 2A. Following these changes, route 2A started daily service, while the 2B was truncated to operate between Dunn Loring station and Fair Oaks Mall.[4] Route 2G was discontinued, replaced by routes 2A, and 2B. Route 2C was replaced by the 2T, to operate between Dunn Loring station and Tysons Corner Center.

September 2020 proposed changes

On September 10, 2020 as part of its FY2022 proposed budget, WMATA proposed to reduce all weekday frequency of route 2A in order to reduce costs and low federal funds.[7]

References

1. "WASHINGTON DC TRANSIT ROUTES". www.chicagorailfan.com. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
2. "Bus Route Changes Start This Weekend". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
3. "2003: 2: A, B, C, G - Washington Blvd. Line; W - Vienna–Oakton Line" (PDF). June 29, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 4, 2003. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
4. "December 29, 2013 Service Changes". www.wmata.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
5. "2008: 2: A, B, C, G - Washington Blvd. Line; W - Vienna–Oakton Line" (PDF). June 29, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 21, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
6. "VIRGINIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2014" (PDF). Retrieved 22 May 2020.
7. "FY2021 Budget Update; FY2022 Budget Outlook and Approval for Public Hearing for FY21 Budget Amendment" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2020.