Martin Luther King Jr. Highway Line

Last updated
A12
Martin Luther King Jr Highway Line
WMATA Metrobus logo.svg
WMATA New Flyer XDE40 7038 on Route A12.jpg
Route A12 at Landover Station
Overview
System Metrobus
Operator Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
GarageLandover
LiveryLocal
StatusIn Service
Began service1978
Ended serviceA13, A17: November 21, 1978
A15: December 15, 2004
A11: March 29, 2015
Route
Locale Prince George's County
Communities served New Carrollton, Glenarden, Palmer Park, Hyattsville, Seat Pleasant
Landmarks served New Carrollton station, Seat Pleasant, Addison Road station, Capitol Heights station (Sundays only)
Start New Carrollton station
ViaArdwick-Ardmore Road, Brightseat Road, Martin Luther King Jr Highway, Addison Road, East Capitol Street (Sundays Only)
End Addison Road station (Monday-Saturday)
Capitol Heights station (Sundays only)
Service
LevelDaily
Frequency20 minutes (7AM - 9PM Daily)
30 minutes (After 9PM Weekdays)
60 minutes (After 9PM Weekends)
Operates4:55 AM – 2:00 AM
Ridership765,512 (FY 2023) [1]
Transfers SmarTrip only
Timetable Martin Luther King Jr Highway Line
  A9  {{{system_nav}}}  B2  

The Martin Luther King Jr. Highway Line, designated Route A12 is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Addison Road station of the Blue and Silver Lines of the Washington Metro and New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 20 minutes between 7AM and 9PM, 30 minutes after 9PM weekdays and 60 minutes after 9PM weekends. Route A12 trips roughly take 30 minutes. On Sundays, Route A12 is extended to Capitol Heights station replacing a portion of route F14.

Contents

Current route

Route A12 operates daily between New Carrollton station and Addison Road station providing service among the Landover community. On Sundays, route A12 is extended to Capitol Heights station replacing a portion of route F14 since the F14 does not run on Sundays. Route A12 currently gets its buses out of Landover division.

A12 Stops

History

The Martin Luther King Jr. Highway Line began in 1978 consisting of routes A11, A12, A13, A15, and A17. Routes A11 and A12 operated between Capital Plaza and Federal Triangle in Downtown Washington D.C., via Annapolis Road, Baltimore Washington Parkway, Landover Road, Palmer Highway, Marlboro Pike, Pennsylvania Avenue, Independence Avenue, and Constitution Avenue. Route A13 operated between Federal Triangle and Washington Business Park and routes A15 and A17 provided weekday peak hour service between Dodge Park and Federal Triangle.

Route A12 originally operated by the Bradbury Heights Bus Line as the Kent Village Line in 1922. It then operated under the Washington Marlboro & Annapolis Motor Lines Inc. (WM&A). It also operated under the District Heights Line but was later replaced by the P12 and V14. [2] The line was later acquired by WMATA on February 4, 1973. [3]

On November 21, 1978 when Landover station opened, routes A11, A13, A15, and A17 were discontinued and route A12 was shorten to Potomac Avenue station discontinuing service to Downtown. Routes A11, A15, and A17 were replaced by both route A12 and the Orange Line while route A13 was replaced by route F13. [4]

On November 22, 1980, when Addison Road station and Capitol Heights station opened, A12 was shortened even further to operate between Capital Plaza and Addison Road station Mondays through Saturdays, as both the Orange and Blue Lines would provide much faster and direct service between much of Prince George's County and Downtown Washington D.C. Route A12 was also extended to operate to Capitol Heights station via, East Capitol Street on Sundays replacing a portion of route F14 which doesn't operate on Sundays. [5]

Route A11 was also reincarnated on November 22, 1980 to make a one way trip between Capital Plaza to Federal Triangle on Saturday mornings only before the first Orange Line trip from the New Carrollton station departs. Route A11 would mainly operate using the A12's former routing between Capital Plaza and the Federal Triangle in Downtown Washington D.C., except it would not serve Landover station.

In 1983, route A15 was reincarnated to operate between Capital Plaza and Addison Road station via Landsdowne Village Apartments in Landover, MD during weekday peak periods using the same routing as A12 but instead serving Landsdowne Village Apartments.

On December 15, 2004, route A15 was discontinued and replaced by routes A11, A12, and Prince George's County's The Bus Route 22. Alternative service was provided by routes A12 between Capital Plaza and Landover Mall and The Bus Route 22 operated between Landover Mall and Landsdowne Village Apartments, via Morgan Boulevard station. [6] [7]

Even after Landover Mall had closed in 2002, routes A11 & A12 would still loop around the former mall due to Sears still being opened. On March 30, 2014, both A11 & A12 were rerouted to no longer serve the former site of the Landover Mall and were rerouted to operate along Brightseat Road, Glenarden Parkway, Ardwick Ardmore Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, via route F14's routing, to provide weekly Metrobus service to Glenarden, due to Sears announcing that its Landover store will close in March 2014. [8] [9] This routing gives direct bus service to Landover station as it was only previously provided between Glenarden and New Carrollton station. [10]

In 2014, WMATA proposed to split the A12 into two routes with the A12 running between Addison Road station and New Carrollton station via Brightseat Road and Ardwick Industrial Park and discontinuing service to Capital Plaza and Landover station primarily running along Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. A new Route L12 will operate the A12 routing between Capital Plaza and Largo Town Center station via Landover station and Woodmore Town Center primarily running on Landover Road via Palmer Park and Hawthorne Street running along the old A12 routing. Stops between Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy and Brightseat Road will be replaced by a rerouted route F14 which will discontinue service along a portion of Brightseat Road being replaced by Route A12. [11] Public feedback however opposed to the changes and the reroutes were not implemented.

On March 29, 2015, route A11 was discontinued making route A12 the only Route to operate the Martin Luther King Jr. Highway Line.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, route A12 was reduced to operate on its Saturday supplemental schedule beginning on March 16, 2020. [12] However beginning on March 18, 2020, route A12 was further reduced to operate on its Sunday schedule operating between Capital Plaza and Capitol Heights station. [13] Weekend service was also suspended beginning on March 21, 2020. [14] Weekend service was restored on a limited basis on July 18, 2020. [15] Full service resumed on August 23, 2020. [16]

On September 5, 2021, Route A12 service was increased to operate every 20 minutes daily between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. [17]

In 2023, WMATA brought back the proposed A12 and L12 route split which is roughly the same from the 2014 proposals, however, the F14 would not be rerouted along Brightseat Road. [18]

On June 25, 2023, route A12 was changed to operate between Addison Road station to New Carrollton station following its regular route between Addison Road and the intersection of Glenarden Parkway & Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, then operate along the F14 route between Hayes Street, Johnson Avenue, Ardwick-Ardmore Road and Pennsy Drive to New Carrollton. A12 service between Capital Plaza Mall and Landover Road & Barlowe Road was replaced by Route L12, which operates between Capital Plaza Mall and Downtown Largo station via Woodmore Towne Centre. [19]

Related Research Articles

Landover is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 25,998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College Park Line</span>

The College Park Line, designated Routes 83 & 86, are daily bus routes operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Rhode Island Avenue Station, which is served by Red Line of the Washington Metro, and the Cherry Hill Park Campground in College Park, Maryland (83), or Calverton (86). 83 is shortened to only operate on short trips between Rhode Island Avenue station and Mount Rainier during early mornings on the weekends. 83 & 86 mainly operate on the U.S. Route 1 corridor between Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast Washington, D.C. & College Park, Maryland. Route 83 trips are roughly 50 minutes long and route 86 trips are roughly 70 minutes long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenbelt Lines</span>

The Greenbelt Lines designated as the Greenbelt–New Carrollton Line on Route G12, and Greenbelt Road-Good Luck Road Line on Route G14, are daily bus routes operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Greenbelt station of the Green Line of Washington Metro and New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro. The lines operate every 30 minutes during peak hours and 60 minutes all other times. Both Route G12 and G14 trips are roughly 55 minutes long. Both routes provide service between New Carrollton and Greenbelt connecting travelers to both communities without having to enter Washington, D.C. by train.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Carrollton–Fort Totten Line</span> Bus route in Washington, D.C. region

The New Carrollton–Fort Totten Line, designated Route F6, is a weekday-only bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the New Carrollton station of the Orange Line station of the Washington Metro and the Fort Totten station of the Red and Green Lines of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 30 minutes during peak hours and 60 minutes all other times, weekdays only. F6 trips are roughly 60 minutes. This route provides weekday service between Fort Totten and New Carrollton stations without having to take the train into Downtown DC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Carrollton–Silver Spring Line</span>

The New Carrollton–Silver Spring Line, designated as Route F4, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Silver Spring station of the Red Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 12 minutes between 7AM and 9PM, and 30-60 minutes after 9PM. F4 trips are roughly 62 minutes. The line mainly provides service on the East-West Highway corridor from the eastern portion of Prince George's County to Montgomery County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenilworth Avenue Line</span> Bus route

The Kenilworth Avenue Line, designated Route R12, is a bus route that operates Monday to Saturday that is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Greenbelt station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro and Deanwood station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 30 minutes during peak hours and 60 minutes other times. Trips are roughly 45 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhode Island Avenue–New Carrollton Line</span>

The Rhode Island Avenue–New Carrollton Line, designated Route T14, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood station of the Red Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 20–25 during the peak periods and 60 minutes during the weekday middays and on the weekends. Route T14 trips roughly take 50 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenbelt–Prince George's Plaza Line</span> WMATA bus route R3

The Greenbelt–Prince George's Plaza Line, designated Route R3, was a bus route that was operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Greenbelt station and Prince George's Plaza station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro. The route provided service between the Greenbelt and Hyattsville during the weekday peak-hours. However the route was discontinued due to low ridership on March 27, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenbelt–Twinbrook Line</span> Daily bus routes in Washington, D.C. area

The Greenbelt–Twinbrook Line, designated Route C2 or C4, are daily bus routes operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Greenbelt station (C2) or Hyattsville Crossing station (C4) of the Green Line and Wheaton station (C2) or Twinbrook station (C4) of the Red Line of the Washington Metro. Both lines operate every 15 – 20 minutes during peak hours, 12 – 24 minutes weekdays and Saturdays, while the C2 runs every 45 – 55 minutes on Sundays and the C4 runs every 12 minutes on Sundays and 30 minutes late nights daily. Trips would take roughly 60 – 70 minutes for both routes. On Sundays however, the C2 is shortened to operate between Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center and Greenbelt Station, which takes 30 minutes. Both lines connect northern Prince George's County to Montgomery County via the University Boulevard East/West corridor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheriff Road–Capitol Heights Line</span>

The Sheriff Road–Capitol Heights Line, designated Route F14, is a bus route that operates Monday to Saturday that is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Naylor Road station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 30-35 minutes during rush hours and 50 minutes at all other times. Trips are roughly 60 minutes to complete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langley Park–Cheverly Line</span>

The Langley Park–Cheverly Line, designated Route F8, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Cheverly Metro station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Takoma – Langley Crossroads Transit Center in Langley Park, Maryland. The line operates every 30–35 minutes during peak hours and every 60–65 minutes at all other times. F8 trips are roughly 54–60 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annapolis Road Line</span>

The Annapolis Road Line, designated Route T18, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the New Carrollton station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and the Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood station of the Red Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 12 minutes during the weekdays between 7AM and 9PM and 45-60 minutes after 9PM. T18 trips roughly take 50 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardwick Industrial Park Shuttle Line</span>

The Ardwick Industrial Park Shuttle Line, designated Route F12, is a weekday-only bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the New Carrollton station and Cheverly station on the Orange Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 35–37 minutes during peak hours and 60 minutes all other times, weekdays only. F12 trips are roughly 30 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlboro Pike Line</span>

The Marlboro Pike Line, designated Route J12, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Addison Road station of the Blue & Silver Lines of the Washington Metro & Forestville. The line operates every 35 minutes during peak hours, and 70 minutes during midday and on the weekends. J12 trips are roughly 28–35 minutes long. Rush hours route J12 trips are extended to the Machinists Place Building which takes roughly 45 minutes.

The District Heights–Suitland Line, designated Route V12, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Addison Road station of the Blue & Silver Lines of the Washington Metro and Suitland station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 30–40 minutes on weekdays and 60 minutes on weekends. V12 trips are roughly 35 minutes long.

The District Heights–Seat Pleasant Line, designated Route V14, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Deanwood station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Penn Mar Shopping Center in District Heights. The line operates every 20–30 minutes during the rush hour, 60 minutes during weekday middays, and 60 minutes on the weekends. V14 trips are roughly 40–45 minutes long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheverly–Washington Business Park Line</span>

The Cheverly–Washington Business Park Line, designated Route F13, is a weekday only bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Cheverly station of the Orange line of the Washington Metro and Washington Business Park in Lanham, Maryland. The line runs every 30–33 minutes during rush hours and 60 minutes at all other times on weekdays only. Trips take roughly 55 minutes.

The Deanwood–Alabama Avenue Line, designated Route W4, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Deanwood station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Anacostia station of the Green Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 12 minutes daily between 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and 20 minutes other times. Route W4 trips are roughly 60 minutes long.

The Central Avenue Line, designated Route C21, C22, C26, C27, C29, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Addison Road station or Downtown Largo station (C26) of the Blue and Silver lines of the Washington Metro, and Bowie Park & Ride Lot (C26), Pointer Ridge, Collington Center, or Bowie State University. The line operates every 30–35 minutes during the weekday peak-hours only and 60 minutes at all other times at a combined frequency of 15–30 minutes. Trips roughly take 30 minutes (C27), 50 - 55 minutes or 85 minutes.

The Landover Road Line, designated Route L12 is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Downtown Largo station of the Blue and Silver Lines of the Washington Metro and Capital Plaza Mall. The line operates every 20 minutes between 7AM and 9PM, and 30-60 minutes after 9PM. Route L12 trips roughly take 48 minutes. The line was a portion of the A12, which was split into two separate routes beginning on June 25, 2023.

References

  1. "Metrobus FY2023 Annual Line Performance Report" (PDF). wmata.com. April 27, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  2. "WASHINGTON DC TRANSIT ROUTES". www.chicagorailfan.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  3. "History" . Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. Feaver, Douglas. "Bus Routes Change Sunday to Link with Orange Line" . Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  5. Feaver, Douglas (November 20, 1980). "Bus Route Changes to Take Place as Two New Blue Line Stations are Scheduled to Open in Prince George's County, Maryland". Washington Post. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  6. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Metrobus service changes, effective Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , December 2004
  7. "Metrobus service changes, effective Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004". December 18, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. "Metro News Release | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  9. O'Connell, Jonathan. "Sears to close Landover store in March" . Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  10. "Metrobus service changes effective March 30 include more trips to improve reliability, reduce crowding" . Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  11. "MARYLAND PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES" (PDF). Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  12. "Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  13. "METRO SERVICE LEVELS & HOURS FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY, STARTING WEDNESDAY | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  14. "Weekend: Metro service limited to 26 bus routes, reduced rail service; expect wait times of 30 minutes; customers urged to travel only if essential | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  15. "Additional Weekend Trips for A12 and T18 Routes, July 18 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  16. "Metrobus Service Changes beginning August 23 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  17. "Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021" . Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  18. "Fiscal Year 2024 Budget: Proposed Fare and Service Changes | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  19. "Metrobus Changes Begin Sunday, June 25, 2023 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.