Free Metrobus Rides, Overnight Bus Routes & $100 Farecards In The Works For DC Residents

Source: The Washington Post / Getty

D.C. is on track to become the first major city in the United States to provide FREE city bus rides.

For many people, buses are their only option for getting around town. For others, it’s a way to help avoid traffic congestion. Those bus rides could be free starting next year — if the D.C. Council gives approval to the idea, which was proposed by Ward 6 Council Member Charles Allen and Council Chair Phil Mendelson.

The Council had already signaled they want to give D.C. residents $100 a month in fare cards for Metrorail, but now the Council also is proposing spending tens of millions of dollars a year to fund free Metrobus rides as well.

If the bill is approved, every Metrobus ride that originates in D.C. would be free to anyone, even if your destination is outside of the District.

“We will be the first major city in the United States that will have free bus service,” Mendelson said.

The proposed legislation would also fund the expansion of overnight service for 12 major bus routes, including as the Georgia Avenue route.

source: NBC4