July 8, 2015

Jack Requa
Interim General Manager and CEO
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Mr. Requa:
I write to you regarding my concerns with the G8 bus service. During the morning rush hour commute,
the G8 bus runs from Avondale to Farragut North Station with the majority of its route and stops in
Ward 5.
My office has received numerous complaints about G8 bus service. It has come to my attention that G8
buses are overcrowded, often times forcing commuters to wait long lengths of time before they are able
to board a bus. This frequently occurs along Rhode Island Avenue. In fact, constituents have provided
my office with video footage showing buses that are too crowded to board. My staff contacted the
Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) and was informed that no changes would be
made until after WMATAs town hall meeting in the fall.
With an average of 4,000 residents using this route on weekdays, I strongly urge you to consider adding
more buses to the G8 route during the morning commute. Adding more buses to this route during this
time will prevent buses from being overcrowded and skipping stops and will allow commuters to reach
their destination in a timely and comfortable manner. Without an adequate public transit option, many
residents will resort to cars which will only further exasperate the traffic issues on Rhode Island Avenue.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. A response by July 15, 2015 is appreciated. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or have your staff contact Laisha Dougherty, my
Constituent Services Coordinator, at 202-727-8274.
Sincerely,

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Ward 5

Chairman Pro Tempore
cc: Councilmember Jack Evans