An old idea that flopped before is being tried again. There was once an express bus that ran between the Bethesda Metro Center and Tysons, but it was eventually terminated due to low ridership. Now that Montgomery County has fallen in status to become a bedroom community for the booming job centers in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County sees potential in the growing numbers of MoCo residents who commute to work in the Tysons area each weekday.
A secondary market is shoppers who would use the new Route 798 to reach malls in Tysons, or Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. I suspect that ridership is going to be minimal at best, especially with weekday-only service.
Route 798 stops in Bethesda at Montgomery Lane and East Lane, Medical Center Metro station, Montgomery Mall, Tysons Metro station, and Tysons West Park transit station. The base fare without transfers or one of several discounts is $4.80.
At least for trips from Bethesda Metro Station to the Tysons metro station, it’s just as quick to take the red line to Metro Center and switch to the silver line. It does cost a couple bucks more.
ReplyDeleteThere's no way that's true, especially once the express lanes finish.
DeleteThanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they can pick up commuters during the week, but wouldn't it also make sense to run on the weekends?
ReplyDeleteSure would, there's actually a big top circus going on right where this route stops at Tysons Metro! Go figure!!
DeleteI doubt it makes economic sense
DeleteLike the Ride On 101 Express up 355, looks viable in theory but lacking in participation. Remember these are Pseudo Gubmint Wonks coming up with these ideas, they get a budget and spend the money but just are unable to accurately 'crunch the numbers.'
ReplyDeleteCorrect, the run times don't work well for Mall visitors. For commuters, things seem more spread out in Virginia. If the bus leaves you a mile from where you need to go, it's not feasible. And I am a frequent bus rider.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to come all the way from VA to shop in Bethesda. LOL I give this a year.
ReplyDeleteOnly one-way bus on earth
DeleteI took the bus to Tysons a couple of times when they had it before. Once you got to Tysons, it was inherently unfriendly to pedestrians. Transit does not work well in places where walking is a nightmare. For all the talk about making Tysons walkable, it's still pretty bad.
ReplyDeleteSaw it slogging down Wisconsin in front of the Naval Hospital during busy period. No passengers. Interesting that a Senior xfer off Metro subway only costs $0.15.
ReplyDelete