washington metropolitan area transit authority - Better Bus Network Redesign
OUTReach, communications, translation, VIDEO, GRAPHIC DESIGN, street teams, EVENT PLANNING
Better Bus Network Redesign was the first major overhaul of the Metrobus network in WMATA’s 50 year history. NeoNiche Strategies supported the project from early outreach through implementation, leading the award-winning public engagement and communications effort that helped shape the Draft Visionary Network, the Proposed 2025 Network, and the adopted 2025 Network. The project was designed to modernize the regional bus network while building trust, awareness, and public understanding around proposed changes. NeoNiche’s role centered on making a complex network redesign approachable and actionable for customers, internal and external stakeholders, community partners, Title VI populations, Limited English Proficiency communities, low-income customers, and hard-toreach communities across the Metro service area.
NeoNiche has been honored to partner with WMATA on the Better Bus Network Redesign, leading an inclusive, multilingual communications and public engagement program that increased awareness of proposed network changes, translated technical planning concepts into accessible customer messaging, and collected representative public feedback through in-person and digital outreach. Our team developed multilingual communications, creative materials, 15 videos, executed 63 community events, and developed a regional partnership program with over 290 members to support the successful implementation of the Better Bus Network.
ABOUT THE CLIENT
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976.
Today, Metrorail serves 91 stations and has 117 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction.
The Better Bus Network Redesign was the first major overhaul of the Metrobus network in WMATA’s 50 year history. With more than 500,000 daily bus trips across the region, the initiative was designed to create a faster, more equitable, more reliable, and more accessible bus network informed by travel patterns, demographic data, community needs, and extensive public participation.
For more information about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Better Bus Network, visit: