Better Bus Network Redesign Project Receives 2025 APTA Award

The Better Bus Network Redesign marked the first complete overhaul of the Metrobus system in 50 years, delivering faster, more frequent, and more reliable service to the Washington, DC region. Kimley-Horn led the project in collaboration with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) as well as subconsultant partners Cambridge Systematics, Foursquare ITP, NeoNiche Strategies, and WBA Research. Through two years of research, planning, and community outreach across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, we interacted with more than 45,000 customers and community members, held more than 200 public events, and developed a brand-new bus network for the region.

By crafting a collaborative approach that redefined the traditional client-consultant relationship, our team was able to meaningfully conduct research, collect customer and community feedback, and analyze data—integrating these inputs to develop the new bus network, all within existing funding levels. With additional implementation support from our team, the new bus network launched on June 29, 2025, strengthening the regional transit system and better meeting the travel needs of customers and communities.