Georgia Avenue Limited Line

Route 79 operates between Silver Spring station and Archives station providing limited stop service along Georgia Avenue.{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Dan |title=What DC's Most Popular Route Can Tell Us About Our City |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/08/28/dcs-popular-route-can-tell-us-city/ |website=Washingtonian |accessdate=6 May 2020 |date=28 August 2017}} Routes 79 and S9 are the only MetroExtra routes to have full-time service with all other MetroExtra routes operating only during weekday or weekday peak periods. It is also one of the few Metrobus routes with dedicated bus lanes.{{cite web |last1=Sturdivant |first1=Christina |title=DDOT Enforces Dedicated Bus Lanes On Georgia Avenue |url=https://dcist.com/story/16/04/11/georgia-avenue-bus-line/ |website=DCist |accessdate=6 May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628163223/https://dcist.com/story/16/04/11/georgia-avenue-bus-line/ |url-status=live }} Route 79 operates out of Montgomery division but has some trips out of Bladensburg division during rush hours.

Prior to route 79, the only express route that operated along Georgia Avenue was the Brightwood Express Line under route 73. Route 73 was the main express route operating along Georgia Avenue running between Silver Spring station and Archives station only supplementing routes 70 and 71 as they run local routes. However, in 2000, route 73 was discontinued and replaced by routes 70 and 71.

In response to growing demand along Georgia Avenue plus to reduce overcrowding on routes 70 and 71, WMATA launched route 79 under their new MetroExtra brand on March 19, 2007 as a limited stop express service providing service on high ridership lines. Route 79 was the first MetroExtra route introduced by WMATA which operates between Silver Spring station and Archives station during weekday peak-hours only.{{cite press release |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1575 |title=New MetroExtra provides faster Metrobus service along Georgia Avenue |date=March 19, 2007 |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505025255/http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1575|archive-date=May 5, 2008|url-status=dead}} The new route will only serve 16 stops northbound and 15 stops southbound.{{cite web |title=79 Georgia Avenue Limited Line |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/upload/79.pdf}}

The original run of route 79 used the 2007 New Flyer C40LFRs out of Bladensburg division.{{cite web |title=WMATA Metrobus New Flyer C40LF & C40LFR Buses |url=https://orenstransitpage.com/transit-photography/united-states/washington-dc/wmata/wmata-metrobus-new-flyer-c40lf-c40lfr-buses/ |website=Oren's Transit Page |accessdate=6 May 2020 |date=1 July 2014}} Although, route 79 started using other buses throughout the years, when the C40LFRs undergoes maintenance. Today, route 79 can be found mostly using any type of Metrobus.

On September 25, 2011, new midday service was added to route 79 which operates every 10–12 minutes.{{cite web|url=http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5039|title=Metro to adjust select bus routes in DC, Virginia|author=|date=|website=www.wmata.com|access-date=July 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924023607/http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5039|archive-date=September 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}

On March 24, 2013, new Saturday service was added to route 79. The line will operate every 15 minutes between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. only.{{cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5468|title=Metrobus Service Changes, Effective March 24, 2013|author=|date=|website=www.wmata.com|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327045058/http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=1571&t=bus|archive-date=March 27, 2013|url-status=dead}}

On December 29, 2013, new Sunday service was added to route 79 also operating between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. operating every 15 minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5629|title=December 29, 2013 Service Changes|author=|date=|website=www.wmata.com|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928165436/http://wmata.com/bus/ServiceChanges20131229.cfm|archive-date=September 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2018, WMATA began experiencing "cashless" payment on buses as part of a pilot to speed up travel time. One of the routes that will work for the pilot was route 79.{{cite web |title=WMATA to test cashless payment on express bus |url=http://www.thetransitwire.com/2018/05/31/wmata-to-test-cashless-payment-on-express-bus/ |website=TheTransitWire.com |accessdate=6 May 2020 |date=31 May 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Powers |first1=Martine |title=Metro wants bus trips to be faster, and getting rid of cash may be the answer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-launches-no-cash-pilot-program-to-speed-buses/2018/05/26/0df461d6-5eff-11e8-a4a4-c070ef53f315_story.html |website=Washington Post |accessdate=6 May 2020 |language=en}}

During WMATA's FY2021 budget year proposal, WMATA proposed to raise the MetroExtra fare from $2.00 to $3.00 at all times.{{cite web |title=Balancing the Next Metro Budget to Reflect Your Priorities {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/ |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}} However, WMATA also proposed to operate route 79 up to 10:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. daily.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the line was reduced to operate on its Saturday supplemental schedule during the weekdays beginning on March 16, 2020.{{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}} 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}} On March 21, 2020, weekend service was also suspended and replaced by the 70.{{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=31 January 2021}}

On August 23, 2020, southbound route 79 service was rerouted to operate along 7th street instead of 9th street in order to streamline service. Weekend service was also restored.{{cite web |title=August 2020 Metrobus Service Changes, August 23 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/proposed-august-2020-metrobus-service-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=28 July 2020}}

On September 5, 2021, the 79 was increased to operate every 12 minutes daily between 7AM and 9PM daily.{{cite web |title=Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-september-2021.cfm |access-date=16 August 2021}}

As part of WMATA's Better Bus Redesign beginning on June 29, 2025, the 79 was renamed into the D4X, keeping the same routing.{{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}}

On June 24, 2018, route 79 began a six-month cash free pilot for WMATA. According to WMATA, route 79 was selected for the pilot due to its proximity to retail stores and Metrorail stations to purchase or load SmarTrip cards, as well as alternative bus service for cash-paying riders.{{cite web |title=Route 79 MetroExtra goes cash-free {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/79-cash-free.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}}{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes, June 24 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-june-24-service-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}} Passenger wishing to pay with cash would have to ride the local route 70 instead.

The pilot had passengers worried overall. Non SmarTrip riders will lose access to one of the most heavily used bus lines in the system.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Max |title=Metro’s cash-free bus pilot aims to speed up trips, but some riders worried |url=https://wtop.com/dc-transit/2018/05/metros-cash-free-bus-pilot-aims-to-speed-up-trips-but-some-riders-worried/ |website=WTOP |accessdate=6 May 2020 |language=en |date=29 May 2018}}

{{blockquote|1=It is something that’s a trend within the industry, but we want to see how that plays out here in our community.|2=WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld}}

DC Councilmember David Grosso sent a letter to WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld, urging him to consider the implications of cashless bus service stating:{{cite web |title=Councilmember Grosso urges WMATA to consider the implications of cashless bus service |url=http://www.davidgrosso.org/grosso-analysis/2020/2/28/councilmember-grosso-urges-wmata-to-consider-the-implications-of-cashless-bus-service |accessdate=6 May 2020}}

{{blockquote|1=As this policy seeks to push cash users to utilize a SmarTrip, it will lengthen their commutes because it will be difficult and potentially expensive to find and use a SmartTrip machine unless they happen to live, work, or go to school near a Metrorail station or WMATA retail partner. This is particularly concerning for residents in Wards 7 and 8, where only 3 non-Metrorail station sales locations exist.}}

Metro also asked the public's feedback on cashless payment and can be expanded onto other MetroExtra routes and future limited stop routes.{{cite web |last1=Giambrone |first1=Andrew |title=Do you support cashless buses? Metro wants to know |url=https://dc.curbed.com/2018/9/10/17842550/dc-metro-cash-free-bus-boarding-wmata |website=Curbed DC |accessdate=6 May 2020 |language=en |date=10 September 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Kurzius |first1=Rachel |title=Metro Mulls More Cashless Bus Routes |url=https://dcist.com/story/18/09/06/metro-mulls-expanding-its-cashless/ |website=DCist |accessdate=6 May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513183931/https://dcist.com/story/18/09/06/metro-mulls-expanding-its-cashless/ |url-status=live }} However, riders are not in favor of the cashless experiment. Metro Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair Phil Posner told the Metro Board in an WTOP interview:

{{blockquote|1=Cash-free buses are something we have always worried about for the disability community and the underserved community, because there is a group that doesn’t have access to anything but cash — do not have credit cards, do not have bank accounts, do not have checking accounts. The 79 express makes 16 stops... the alternate route, the 70, makes 49 stops. Make a decision that has a little heart to it for the people, the large population, that doesn’t have it, because this is a pilot that’s going to affect everything from Columbia Pike throughout the entire system, and I think that’s really important to take into account.}}

Maryland Metro Board Member Michael Goldman also said:

{{blockquote|1=Let’s see what the experiment shows, but we obviously have problems not just on bus but on rail with individuals entering the system and not paying. So let’s see what happens on the bus side and see if, on balance, this produces more benefits in terms of shorter stops at bus stops and a shorter ride for our passengers than... whatever revenue might be lost by allowing a few riders to travel for free.}}

The Metro Board took in all surveys by November 2018 and will consider if they should extend the cashless payment.{{cite web |title=What do you think about limited-stop bus service going cash-free? {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/cash-free.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}}

In December 2018, WMATA announced that the cashless payment pilot will be extended for another six months on route 79 with a full permanent adoption being decided in 2019.{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes, December 30 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-dec-30-2018.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}} In May 2019, WMATA announced that the cashless payment pilot will end on June 23, 2019. Regular fares will still be applied to the route.{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes Beginning Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, June 23, 2019 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-may-25-and-june-23.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=6 May 2020}}

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