New Metro bus route to offer direct service from Alexandria to downtown D.C.

Commuters can skip transfers starting Dec. 15 with A29 line

Alexandria residents will soon have a new one-seat ride to downtown Washington, D.C., when Metro launches the A29 bus route next Monday.

The new line will connect Van Dorn Street station to Metro Center via the I-395 Express Lanes, with stops at Beauregard Street, Mark Center, Southern Towers, and Shirlington. Buses will run every 24 minutes during rush hour — mornings toward D.C. and afternoons toward Northern Virginia.

The route is funded through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s I-395/95 Commuter Choice grant program.

The A29 launch comes a day after Metro implements changes to 50 other bus routes systemwide, including 11 Virginia lines: A11, A12, A1X, A25, A40, A66, A71, F20, F28, F60, and F61. Those adjustments, which begin Sunday, Dec. 14, are part of ongoing efforts to improve reliability and reduce crowding following the agency’s June network redesign.

Metro said customers can visit wmata.com/tripplanner for updated schedule information or download the MetroPulse app for real-time service updates.