Georgia Avenue–Maryland Line

File:WMATA 2013 New Flyer XDE40 7259 on Route Y2.jpg]]

Routes Y2, Y7, and Y8 operate along Georgia Avenue providing frequent service to multiple communities. Route Y2 operates daily as a direct service between Silver Spring station and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, skipping both the ICC Park & Ride lot and the Leisure World clubhouse. Route Y7 operates on weekdays only via the Leisure World clubhouse but instead terminates at the ICC Park & Ride lot instead of MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Route Y8 operates daily on the same Y2 routing but serves the Leisure World clubhouse. Routes Y7 and Y8 only operate between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM when the Leisure World clubhouse is open while route Y2 rarely operates between those hours on weekdays (it runs all day on weekends).

Routes Y2, Y7, and Y8 operate out of Montgomery division. It often uses articulated buses due to its high ridership volume.

The line originally operated under former streetcar lines prior to becoming buses in 1973.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/history.cfm |accessdate=20 May 2020}} During Metro's inception, routes Y2 and Y4 operated between Silver Spring station and Kensington before being replaced by Ride On through the 1980s-1990s. Then route Y4 operated between Rockville and Glenmont station before being replaced by Ride On route 49 in 1998. Route Y1 operated between Montgomery Village and Potomac Park. Route Y3 originally operated between Leisure World and Southwest Mall, then became a part of the Homecrest-Wheaton Line.{{cite news |last1= |first1=|title=METROBUS ROUTE CHANGES |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1991/06/20/metrobus-route-changes/b0537571-4260-4421-b812-0f5f724c2518/ |newspaper=Washington Post |accessdate=27 April 2020}} Both the Y1 and Y3 were later discontinued around the 1990s and replaced by Ride On routes.

The original Georgia Avenue–Maryland Line operated as routes Y5, Y6, Y7, Y8, and Y9. At one point during its inception, route Y5 would operate between Leisure World to Federal Triangle, then operate as part of the Norbeck–Wheaton Line until the 1990s when it was replaced by Ride On route 48. Route Y5 would later join the Georgia Avenue–Maryland Line. Route Y6 operated between Glenmont and Wheaton before being extended to Aspen Hill. Route Y7 would operate between Montgomery Village and Southwest Mall. Routes Y8 and Y9 would only operate between MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and Silver Spring. All routes would primarily operate along Georgia Avenue.

During the 1980 to 1990s, routes Y5, and Y7 were rerouted to operate with routes Y8 and Y9 MedStar Montgomery Hospital and Silver Spring. Y6 would also join the line but would keep its same routing between Glenmont and Aspen Hill.

In the 1990s, route Y6 was renamed route Q3 which would operate on its same routing. The route was later replaced by Ride On route 41 in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/routelist/routes/route41.htm|title=Ride-On Route 41 Information|author=|date=February 5, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980205192207/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/routelist/routes/route41.htm|accessdate=May 20, 2020|archive-date=1998-02-05}}

Y5 was also eliminated and replaced by routes Y7, Y8, and Y9.

Since the 1990s, the Georgia Avenue–Maryland Line operates as the following:{{cite web |title=Y5, 7, 8, 9 Metrobus Georgia Avenue-Maryland Line Study |url=https://studylib.net/doc/8846047/y5--7--8--9-metrobus |accessdate=20 May 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Pagnucco |first1=Adam |title=Is This Smart Growth? Part Four |url=http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-this-smart-growth-part-four.html |website=Maryland Politics Watch |accessdate=20 May 2020 |date=2 July 2009}}

• Y7: Rockville station to Silver Spring station via the Norbeck Park and Ride. Trips to Rockville are only served during peak hours.
• Y8: Montgomery General Hospital to Silver Spring via Leisure World only.
• Y9: Montgomery General Hospital to Wheaton as a direct route.

On June 29, 2003, WMATA made changes to the line where all trips will operate between Montgomery General Hospital and Silver Spring station. Trips passing Leisure World Clubhouse were named route Y9 while trips serving the clubhouse were named route Y8. The Norbeck Park & Ride Lot will be served directly only by southbound trips in the morning rush and by northbound trips in the afternoon rush as route Y7 which was extended to the Montgomery General Hospital. Route Y7 trips to Rockville station were eliminated with all trips terminating at the Norbeck Park and Ride lot.{{cite web |title=Metro News Release {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2771 |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=29 November 2020}}

At the time, routes Y7 and Y9 did not serve Silver Spring station making route Y8 the only route to serve Silver Spring. Route Y7 and Y8 operate daily while route Y9 operated during the weekday peak hours only.{{cite web |url=http://www.wmata.com:80/timetables/md/Y7-9.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.wmata.com:80 |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030626023536/http://www.wmata.com:80/timetables/md/Y7-9.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2003 |url-status=dead}}

On September 7, 2003, Leisure World Clubhouse requested that on weekdays, the number of trips diverting off of Georgia Avenue to serve clubhouse directly be significantly reduced. Route Y8 trips not diverting into the clubhouse were named route Y9 and half of Y7 trips will no longer serve the clubhouse. Existing route Y7 trips serving the clubhouse were named route Y5. The changes goes as follows:{{cite web |title=Metrobus service route changes in Maryland Begin the Week of Sept. 7 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2838 |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=29 November 2020}}

• All Y5 and Y7 trips will serve the Norbeck Park & Ride Lot.
• All Y5 and Y8 trips will serve Leisure World
• All Y8 trips will serve Leisure World, but not the Norbeck Park & Ride Lot
• All Y9 trips will serve neither. The times that most weekday trips pass stops south of Leisure World will not change.

On December 18, 2011, new service was added to the new Intercounty Connector Park and Ride Lot off Georgia Avenue. Routes Y5 and Y7 would enter the Park and Ride in order for passengers to transfer to MTA Maryland 201 and 202. Service to the Norbeck Park & Ride Lot was discontinued.{{cite web |title=Metrobus service to change the week of September 26 |url=http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5093 |date=November 29, 2011 |accessdate=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221210117/http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5093 |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

File:WMATA 2005 New Flyer DE40LF.jpg

Between 2011 and 2012, WMATA released a study on the Y lines. At the time, the Y line was suffering from insufficient run time, inconvenient service frequencies, and operational issues the line has. Proposals were to simplify the line, add time to schedule buses, combine bus stops together, improve amenities at bus stops, and convert route Y9 as a MetroExtra route. These changes will go under short to long term plans.{{cite web |title=The Metrobus "Y" Line: Factsheet |url=https://studylib.net/doc/8846046/y5--7--8--9-metrobus-georgia-avenue |accessdate=20 May 2020 |language=en}}

At the time of the study, frequencies goes as the following:

• Y5: Weekday Peak Hour service (AM to Silver Spring, PM to Olney) and Sunday service only.
• Y7: Weekday Peak Hour service (AM to Silver Spring, PM to Olney) and late night Saturday service only.
• Y8: Daily (except service in the Weekday Peak direction). Most Saturday service only operates between SIlver Spring and Leisure World.
• Y9: Daily direct between Silver Spring and Olney. Most Sunday trips only operates between Medstar Montgomery Medical Center and Wheaton station.

On August 24, 2014, routes Y5 and Y9 were discontinued by WMATA and replaced by routes Y7 and Y8 in order to simplify the Georgia Avenue–Maryland Line. Route Y7 would also be shortened and rerouted to Georgia Ave–ICC Park & Ride Lot instead of MedStar Hospital while route Y8 would discontinue service to the Leisure World clubhouse remaining straight along Georgia Avenue. During the weekends, route Y7 would only operate between Leisure World clubhouse and Wheaton station.{{cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5760|title=Metrobus service changes effective August 24 include more trips to improve reliability, reduce crowding|author=|date=|website=www.wmata.com|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062459/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5760|archive-date=February 24, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Metrobus service changes effective August 24 |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/metrobus-service-changes-effective-august-24/285098694 |website=wusa9.com |accessdate=20 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Matt |title=Changes To Metrobus Routes Coming Soon |url=https://dcist.com/story/14/08/15/new-metrobus-changes-coming-soon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223050646/https://dcist.com/story/14/08/15/new-metrobus-changes-coming-soon/ |url-status=live |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |website=DCist |accessdate=20 May 2020 |language=en }}

Between October 14, 2014 and December 12, 2014, a temporary route Y4 was introduced as the Leisure World–Olney Line running on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM in order to provide residents access to the Leisure World clubhouse from Olney. This was because residents lost direct access to the clubhouse on August 24, 2014 when the Y8 became a direct route. Passengers would have to walk from the clubhouse onto Georgia Avenue to take the Y8 instead of waiting at the bus stops as the Y7 would take them to Silver Spring or up to the Georgia Ave–ICC Park & Ride Lot on weekdays only.

On December 14, 2014, a new route Y2 was introduced to operate a direct routing between MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and Silver Spring station which was the Y8 routing and former Y9 routing. Route Y8 was also rerouted back to the Leisure World clubhouse but discontinued all weekend service. Route Y4 was also discontinued as there was no need for the route to operate anymore as the Y8 covered the same routing. These changes were all towards customer feedback and frustration due to the August 24 changes.{{cite web |title=Metrobus service changes effective December 14 to shorten wait times, reduce crowding |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5821 |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113062835/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5821|archive-date=January 13, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Y2,7,8 - WMATA.com |url=https://studylib.net/doc/8099632/y2-7-8---wmata.com |language=en}}

When the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center at Silver Spring station opened, routes Y2, Y7, and Y8 were rerouted from its terminus along Wayne Avenue to the new transit center. The Y2, Y7, and Y8 were assigned to Bus Bay 219 on level 2.{{cite web |last1=Goldchain |first1=Michelle |title=Finally, The Silver Spring Transit Center Makes Its Debut |url=https://dc.curbed.com/2015/9/21/9919280/silver-spring-transit-center |website=Curbed DC |accessdate=2 May 2020 |language=en |date=21 September 2015}}{{cite web |title=Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/Paul-Sarbanes-Transit-Center.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=3 May 2020}}

On June 25, 2017, weekend route Y8 service was restored operating its full route. Route Y7 also discontinued weekend service on the same day being replaced by routes Y2 and Y8. This gives residents from Olney weekend service to the Leisure World clubhouse which has not happened since the 2014 changes.{{cite web |title=Be ready for Metro changes June 25, 2017 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/june-25-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=20 May 2020}}{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes, June 25 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-june-25.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=20 May 2020}}

On December 17, 2017, northbound buses which departed from Wheaton station will operate via Veirs Mill Road, University Boulevard, Grandview Avenue, and Blueridge Avenue to access Georgia Avenue due to closure of Reedie Drive. Northbound service on Reedie Drive, and Georgia Avenue between Reedie Drive and Blueridge Avenue will be eliminated.{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes, December 17 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-december17.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=23 December 2020}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the line was reduced to operate on its Saturday supplemental schedule beginning on March 16, 2020, with the Y7 being suspended.{{cite web |title=Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-announces-additional-COVID-19-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}} However beginning on March 18, 2020, the line was further reduced to operate on its Sunday schedule.{{cite web |title=METRO SERVICE LEVELS & HOURS FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY, STARTING WEDNESDAY {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO-SERVICE-FURTHER-REDUCED-TO-SUPPORT-ESSENTIAL-TRIPS-ONLY.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}} Weekend service was also suspended on the Y7 and Y8 beginning on March 21, 2020, with Route Y2 operating every 30 minutes in its place.{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Weekend-service-3-28-3-29.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=11 February 2021}} The line restored its full schedule beginning on August 23, 2020 with the Y7 also returning.{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes beginning August 23 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/proposed-august-2020-metrobus-service-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}

On September 5, 2021, the line's frequency was improved to operate every 20 minutes.{{cite web |title=Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-september-2021.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=24 August 2021}}

As part of WMATA's Better Bus Redesign taking place on June 29, 2025, the line was further simplified. Route Y7 was renamed into the M20, keeping the same routing. Route Y2 was discontinued and the Y8 was partially combined with the L8 and renamed into the M22. The new M22 follows the same routing as the Y8 between Olney and Wheaton, then deviates along University Boulevard and follows the L8 routing along Connecticut Avenue before turning onto East-West Highway and serving Bethesda station.{{cite web |title=Metro Board of Directors approves Better Bus Network Redesign, new bus routes to start next summer |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-Board-of-Directors-approves-Better-Bus-Network-Redesign-new-bus-routes-to-start-next-summer.cfm |website=WMATA |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}

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Y2

Category:Transportation in Montgomery County, Maryland