14th Street Express

14th Street Express (Route D5X)

Company type	Public transit service
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	2018
Headquarters	Washington, D.C. , United States
Area served	Washington, D.C.
Parent	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

The 14th Street Express, identified as Route D5X, is a limited-stop Metrobus service managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. It operates between Takoma station on the Red Line and Metro Center station, which is served by the Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver metro lines. During peak periods, buses run every 6 to 7 minutes, midday service intervals are approximately 12 minutes, and early morning and evening frequencies are about every 20 minutes. The average journey time for this route is around 50 minutes. Route D5X enhances the capacity of route D50 by offering additional service during rush hours along the 14th Street corridor.

Background

Serving as a limited-stop option along the 14th Street corridor, Route D5X complements route D50 by providing extra service in both directions during peak times. It stops at 18 locations heading southbound and 19 northbound. The buses for this route are dispatched from the Bladensburg garage; prior to 2019, operations were based out of the Northern division until it was closed due to structural concerns.

Route D5X Stops

<section begin=d5x-table/>

Bus stop	Direction	Connections
Washington, D.C.
Takoma Station Bus Bay B	Northbound terminal, Southbound station	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 62, 63, F1, K2 Template:Bus icon Ride On: 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 24, 25 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon
Georgia Avenue / Butternut Street NW	Southbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 70, 79
Aspen Street NW / 13th Place NW	Northbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 70, 79
14th Street NW / Aspen Street NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Fort Stevens Drive NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Missouri Avenue NW	Northbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, D34, E4, W45
14th Street NW / Oglethorpe Street NW	Southbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, D34, E4, S1, W45
14th Street NW / Colorado Avenue NW	Northbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, E4
14th Street NW / Jefferson Street NW	Southbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, E4
14th Street NW / Buchanan Street NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Upshur Street NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Spring Road NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Monroe Street NW	Northbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Park Road NW	Southbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Irving Street NW (Columbia Heights station)	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, D32, H2, H4, H8, W45, W47 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator   Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square station Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon
14th Street NW / Belmont Street	Northbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / Chapin Street NW	Southbound	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54
14th Street NW / U Street NW (U Street station)	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 63, 64 90, 92 (Late night & early morning), 96 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator   Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square station Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon
14th Street NW / P Street NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, G2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator   Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square station
14th Street NW / K Street NW	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus:16E (Eastbound only),52,54,80,D4,D6,S2,X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator   Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square (Northbound only) Template:Bus icon DC Circulator:   Georgetown–Union Station
14th Street NW / I Street NW (McPherson Square station)	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon Metrobus (Washington,D.C.)':3F ,3Y ,16E ,16Y ,32 ,33 ,36 ,52 ,54 ,59 ,80 ,D6 ,G8 ,S2 ,S9 ,X2 Template:Bus iconDC Circulator   Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square (Northbound only) Template:Bus iconDC Circulator:   Georgetown–Union Station Template:Bus iconLoudoun County Commuter Bus Template:Bus iconMTA Maryland Commuter Bus Template:Bus iconOmniRide Commuter Template:RintWashington Metro: Template:WMATA iconTemplate:WMATA iconTemplate:WMATA icon
F Street NW /13th St. NW (Metro Center station)	Bidirectional	Template:Bus icon'Metrobus (Washington,D.C.):3F ,3Y ,54 ,63 ,64 ,80 ,D6 ,G8 ,P6 ,S2 ,X2 Template:Bus iconMTA Maryland Bus:901 ,902 ,904 ,905 Template:Bus iconLoudoun County Transit Template:Bus iconPRTC OmniRide Template:Bus iconRide Smart Northern Shenandoah Valley Template:RintWashington Metro: Template:WMATA iconTemplate:WMATA iconTemplate:WMATA iconTemplate:WMATA icon

<section end=d5x-table/>

History

Route D50, known as the 14th Street Line, ranks among the busiest in the Metrobus network, transporting roughly 15,000 passengers on an average weekday. This line links Takoma station with Downtown Washington DC by way of 14th Street. Despite its popularity, the route struggles with issues such as overcrowding, frequent delays, and operational inefficiencies caused by having at least 26 stops and bus intervals often exceeding 20 minutes. Consequently, many commuters opt for the more reliable 16th Street routes (S1, S2, and S9, currently designated D60 and D6X).

Prior to WMATA’s Better Bus Redesign initiative, Route D5X was identified as Route 59. The idea for an express service along 14th Street originated in 2012. In 2011, WMATA partnered with the DC Department of Transportation to analyze the corridor and determined that introducing express (or "limited-stop") service would increase capacity and improve frequency at served stops without impacting those served only by local buses. This approach promised reduced travel times but was expected to raise operating expenses.

Among WMATA’s recommendations were extending route 53 from McPherson Square station to G Street to enhance service north of Colorado Avenue NW; expanding coverage to include the Waterfront area; improving rider communication; enforcing parking regulations more effectively; deploying articulated buses; and providing specialized training for operators assigned to these routes.

However, these proposals failed to secure adequate funding during city budget discussions and were subsequently postponed. Meanwhile, business activity along the 14th Street corridor nearly doubled—from 7,371 establishments in 2011 to 13,992 by 2015—heightening demand for better transit options.

Proposed New Route

Between 2016 and 2017, increased ridership on 14th Street combined with growing political backing revitalized plans for a limited-stop bus service.

In WMATA’s FY2018 budget proposal, Route 59 was introduced to provide limited-stop service between Takoma station and Federal Triangle station, substituting for route 54’s segment between Metro Center station and Federal Triangle. This plan responded directly to requests from the District of Columbia government and the District Department of Transportation. The route was initially targeted for launch as early as December 2017.

The new limited-stop service received strong endorsement from community leaders and residents who sought relief from increasing development pressures and overcrowding on existing lines. Multiple Advisory Neighborhood Commissions along the 14th Street corridor expressed their support.

Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd underscored the critical need for this transit investment amidst growing residential and commercial development:

I strongly support the creation of an express bus line on 14th street... Ward 4 cannot wait any longer for more robust and efficient transportation options.

Similarly, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, who frequently uses routes 52 and 54 herself, expressed her backing:

As the population along 14th Street grows, additional service is vital... Express service has provided relief to transit-dependent residents.

At-large Councilmembers Robert White, Elissa Silverman, David Grosso, along with Ward 6's Charles Allen, also voiced their support.

Robert White highlighted the potential economic and environmental advantages:

The 59 bus could offer critical economic, transit and environmental benefits... it is the closest we can get to bus rapid transit right now.

Approval of funding depended on inclusion in Mayor Bowser’s budget proposal followed by DC Council approval.

On March 29, 2017, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced dedicated funding for expanded transit service along the 14th Street corridor.

Subsequently, on June 13, 2017, both the DC Council and Mayor Bowser approved WMATA's $1.2 million FY2018 budget which included funding for Route 59. Supporters included Nadeau, Todd, Evans, Silverman, Grosso, Allen, and White. Service commenced in December of that year with the goal of easing congestion on routes 52, 53, and 54.

Route Impact

In December 2017, WMATA revealed plans for route 59 to commence operations on January 8, 2018. This service runs along the 14th Street corridor, connecting Takoma station to Federal Triangle station, with limited stops every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods (6:30-9:30 AM and 3:45-7:00 PM). The creation of route 59 aimed to enhance capacity and increase the frequency of service along this heavily trafficked corridor.

To integrate route 59, adjustments were made: route 52 extended its reach to Southwest Waterfront, ceasing service along D Street; route 53 was discontinued and substituted by route 54; and route 54’s route was shortened to terminate at Metro Center, while Federal Triangle coverage shifted to route 59. These modifications were implemented on December 17, 2017, prior to the official launch of the new route.

The rollout of route 59 was met with favorable responses from community members, local officials, and transit users. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser held a press event following the inaugural trip departing from Takoma station, highlighting the critical role of dependable transit in fostering economic development along the 14th Street corridor. She remarked:

Reliable and safe public transit facilitates easier access for residents to workplaces, educational institutions, and other destinations. The 14th Street corridor has experienced significant economic growth, becoming one of the District’s busiest routes. As our city expands, we will continue seeking ways to ensure our residents benefit from this prosperity.

On its debut day, route 59 effectively reduced overcrowding and delays previously experienced on routes 52 and 54.

Service Modifications

In WMATA’s FY2021 budget cycle during 2019, a proposal was introduced to extend route 59’s operation to daily service, replacing route 54 entirely. Under this plan, route 59 would run every eight minutes during peak hours while maintaining off-peak and weekend schedules similar to those of route 54. It would function as a local service between Takoma station and the intersection of 14th and Colorado Streets, stopping at all intermediate stops. The objectives behind this proposal included:

• Simplifying the network by streamlining routes for enhanced rider comprehension.
• Providing consistent limited-stop service seven days a week on 14th Street to support DDOT’s upcoming bus priority initiatives in Columbia Heights.
• Preserving frequent service along upper 14th Street north of Colorado Avenue as well as Aspen and Butternut Streets, where limited passing lanes restrict MetroExtra bus operations.

Roughly 4,800 passengers board routes 52 or 54 at local stops south of the intersection at 14th Street & Colorado Avenue—areas not served by route 59—resulting in an anticipated halving of local service frequency in this segment. This group represents about 38% of the combined average weekday ridership of approximately 12,800 on routes 52 and 54. Projected frequencies south of Colorado Avenue were:

Service Time	Frequency at Local Stops on Route 52 Only	Frequency at Local and Limited Stops on Routes 52 and 59
Weekday Peak Hours	Every 10 minutes	Every 5 minutes
Weekday Off-Peak Hours	Every 16 minutes	Every 8 minutes
Saturday	Every 20 minutes	Every 10 minutes
Sunday	Every 30 minutes	Every 15 minutes

Had these changes been adopted, routes 52 and 59 would have been the sole services operating along the entire length of the 14th Street Corridor. However, WMATA retracted these plans on April 2, 2020, in response to rider concerns.

Route 59 was suspended entirely during the COVID-19 health crisis but resumed operations on August 23, 2020. During the FY2022 budget discussions in February 2021, WMATA proposed discontinuing Route 59 if federal funding was not secured.

As COVID-19 cases surged due to the Omicron variant, Route 59 service was again halted when WMATA reduced weekday schedules to Saturday Supplemental levels. Service was restored on February 7, 2022.

Beginning June 29, 2025, under WMATA’s Better Bus Redesign initiative, Route 59 will be rebranded as D5X and upgraded to provide all-day service connecting Takoma station with Metro Center station.