Naylor Road Line
| Company type | Public transit bus routes |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1862 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C. |
| Products | Bus services (Routes D10 and D1X) |
The Pennsylvania Avenue Line, which includes Routes D10 and D1X, operates as a daily Metrobus network within Washington, D.C.. These routes link the Southern Avenue station or Naylor Road station on the Green Line to either Potomac Park or Archives station, served by the Green and Yellow Lines of the Washington Metro. Initially established in 1862 by the Washington and Georgetown Railroad as a streetcar route, it holds the distinction of being the city’s earliest transit line before its conversion to bus service in the 1960s.
The present-day alignment also incorporates portions of the former Naylor Road Line, which functioned as a separate route in earlier operations.
Current route
Route D10 commences near the Potomac Park apartments close to the Foggy Bottom–GWU station, traveling along H and I Streets until reaching Pennsylvania Avenue. In contrast, Route D1X starts at Archives station via 7th Street NW and Independence Avenue SW. Both routes traverse Southeast Washington, D.C., crossing over the Sousa Bridge, then diverge at L'Enfant Square: D10 proceeds toward Naylor Road and Alabama Avenue, while D1X continues on to Branch Avenue. Route 32 concludes service at Southern Avenue station in Maryland, whereas Route 36 terminates at Naylor Road station, also in Maryland. Both stations provide access to the Green Line.
Operating daily, Routes 32 and 36 are complemented by the Wisconsin Avenue Line (Routes 31 and 33), which follow a similar path but extend northward along Wisconsin Avenue to Friendship Heights station.
The Andrews Federal Center division manages both lines, with late-night services dispatched from Shepherd Parkway division. Historically, operations have also involved Bladensburg, Shepherd Parkway, and Western divisions.
Route D10 stops
<section begin=dc32-table/>
| Bus stop | Direction | Connections |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | ||
| Virginia Avenue NW / E Street NW Potomac Park |
Eastbound stop, Westbound terminal |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 11Y, 31, 36, 42, 43 |
| F Street NW / 21st Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 36, 42, 43 |
| F Street NW / 22nd Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 36, 42, 43 |
| 23rd Street NW / G Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 36, 42, 43 |
| 23rd Street NW / I Street NW Foggy Bottom-GWU |
Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 36 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 22nd Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 33, 36, 38B, 80, X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 21st Street NW | Eastbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 33, 36, 80, X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station |
| I Street NW / 20th Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 33, 36, 38B, 80, X2 |
| I Street NW / 19th Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 3Y,16Y,33,36,38B,80,D6,X2 |
| H Street NW /18th Street NW Farragut West Farragut North |
Eastbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Multiple routes including 3Y,16Y,33,36,X2; Template:Bus icon DC Circulator Georgetown – Union Station; Template:Rint Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver/Red Lines; also served by MTA Maryland Bus and Loudoun County Transit. |
| I Street NW /18th Street NW Farragut West |
Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: key routes including 3Y,16Y,33,36,X2; Template:Rint Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver Lines; PRTC OmniRide service. |
| I Street NW /17th Street NW Farragut Square |
Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Extensive connections including multiple Metrobus lines and DC Circulator; Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver/Red Lines. |
| H Street NW / Madison Place NW McPherson Square station |
Eastbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Key routes including D6 and X2; Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver Lines. |
| I Street NW /15th Street NW McPherson Square station |
Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Multiple routes including S2,S9,X2; Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver Lines. |
| 15th Street NW / New York Avenue NW | Eastbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus:11Y,36 |
| 15th Street NW / F Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus:36 |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 14th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus:11Y,16E,36,52 |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW /13th Street NW Federal Triangle station |
Eastbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus:36 Template:Rint Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver Lines |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW /12th Street NW Federal Triangle station |
Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus:36 Template:Rint Washington Metro Blue/Orange/Silver Lines |
<section end=dc32-table/>
Route D1X stops
<section begin=dc36-table/>
| Stop | Travel direction | Available connections |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | ||
| Virginia Avenue NW / E Street NW Potomac Park |
Eastbound boarding, Westbound final stop |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 11Y, 31, 32, 42, 43 |
| F Street NW / 21st Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 32, 42, 43 |
| F Street NW / 22nd Street NW | Westbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 32, 42, 43 |
| 23rd Street NW / G Street NW | Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 32, 42, 43 |
| 23rd Street NW / I Street NW Foggy Bottom-GWU |
Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 31, 32 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 22nd Street NW | Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32, 33, 38B, 80, X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 21st Street NW | Eastbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32, 33, 80, X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station |
| I Street NW / 20th Street NW | Westbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32, 33, 38B, 80, X2 |
| I Street NW / 19th Street NW | Westbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 3Y, 16Y, 32, 33, 38B, 80, D6, X2 |
| H Street NW / 18th Street NW Farragut West Farragut North |
Eastbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 3Y, 16Y, 32, 33, 38B, 42, 43, 80, D6, G8, L2, N2, N4, N6, X2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station Template:Bus icon MTA Maryland Bus: various routes Template:Bus icon Loudoun County Transit Template:Bus icon PRTC OmniRide Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver Red |
| I Street NW / 18th Street NW Farragut West |
Westbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: selected routes Template:Bus icon PRTC OmniRide Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver |
| I Street NW / 17th Street NW Farragut Square |
Westbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: various routes Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Georgetown – Union Station Template:Bus icon MTA Maryland Bus: multiple lines Template:Bus icon Loudoun County Transit Template:Bus icon PRTC OmniRide Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver (Farragut West), Red (Farragut North) |
| H Street NW / Madison Place NW McPherson Square station |
Eastbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: selected lines Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver |
| I Street NW / 15th Street NW McPherson Square station |
Westbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: selected routes including S2 and S9 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver |
| 15th Street NW / New York Avenue NW | Eastbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 11Y, 32 |
| 15th Street NW / F Street NW | Westbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32 |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 14th Street NW | Both directions served | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: selected routes including Columbia Pike Line and others |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 13th Street NW Federal Triangle station |
Eastbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver |
| Pennsylvania Avenue NW / 12th Street NW Federal Triangle station |
Westbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Blue Orange Silver |
<section end=dc36-table/>
History
The Capital Traction Company operated its principal route along the Pennsylvania Avenue Line, connecting Georgetown to the Navy Yard. Authorized under its charter, the line originated at the intersection of M Street North and Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, crossing Rock Creek via the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, which was shared with the Washington Aqueduct. Due to the prominent locations of the White House and the Capitol along Pennsylvania Avenue, the route diverted north and east around the White House by way of 15th Street Northwest, then curved south along what is now known as First Street West, circumventing the Capitol Grounds before proceeding southeast toward the Navy Yard. A branch line served the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station, extending northeast from Pennsylvania Avenue and First Street West to New Jersey Avenue and B Street North, then continuing east on B Street and south near the Capitol to reconnect with the main line.
Operations commenced between the Capitol and White House on July 29, 1862. The service expanded westward to reach Washington Circle by August 12, extended to Georgetown by August 18, and reached eastward to the Navy Yard by October 2. Upon its opening in 1872, connections were established with the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad station located at Sixth Street.
On March 3, 1875, directives required both the Washington and Georgetown company and the Metropolitan Railroad to remove tracks that interfered with improvements at the Capitol Grounds. This resulted in a reconfiguration of boundaries along First Streets West and East as well as B Streets North and South. Consequently, the Pennsylvania Avenue Line was rerouted onto First Street West and B Street South. The branch serving the B&O station was relocated to First Avenue West and C Street North, terminating at New Jersey Avenue; this adjustment followed removal of tracks originally laid by the Alexandria and Washington Railroad in 1872.
Additionally, on that same date, Washington and Georgetown was compelled to shift its route from the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge to utilize the M Street Bridge via 26th Street West. The original bridge underwent reconstruction during the mid-1910s with Capital Traction contributing one-third of the expenses; streetcar service resumed along Pennsylvania Avenue on July 7 (eastbound) and July 15 (westbound), 1916.
Legislation passed on August 23, 1894 mandated building a union station at Georgetown’s terminus of the Aqueduct Bridge, thereby extending service westward to facilitate passenger transfers to northern Virginia streetcar lines.
By the late 1890s, extensions pushed southeastward across the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge spanning the Anacostia River, with select cars continuing service to the Navy Yard.
A loop through Washington’s West End received authorization on June 4, 1900, opening for use on March 24, 1901. Westbound cars proceeded south along 17th Street West, then west on G Street North, before turning north on 25th Street West back onto Pennsylvania Avenue. Eastbound tracks followed a route via 26th Street West, F Street North, and 17th Street West. A short-turn track situated on G Street between 25th and 26th Streets enabled vehicles to reverse direction at 26th.
On May 23, 1908, Congress authorized extensions for multiple companies to access Washington Union Station. Capital Traction extended its branch from the former B&O station eastward along C Street and northeast on Delaware Avenue reaching Union Station. A secondary route linked this branch with eastern tracks through First Street East and B Street North onto Delaware Avenue utilizing trackage owned by other operators.
A second loop in the West End was approved on December 7, 1916. This loop ran from Pennsylvania Avenue southward to Virginia Avenue near West Potomac Park, following pathways along 18th and 19th Streets.
After the merger
In the aftermath of the 1933 consolidation of Capital Traction and the Washington Railway and Electric Company into the Capital Transit Company, overlapping routes were eliminated, including the WR&E's Georgetown line running between Connecticut and Wisconsin Avenues. As a result, streetcars on the Cabin John Line, Tenleytown Line, and other Georgetown services were redirected along Pennsylvania Avenue between Georgetown and the White House. By 1936, the numbered routes operating on the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor included:
- 10: Service from Rosslyn to Kenilworth via Pennsylvania Avenue and the former WR&E Columbia Line (ceased operations May 1, 1949)
- 20: Route connecting Cabin John to Union Station through the ex-WR&E Cabin John Line and Pennsylvania Avenue (discontinued January 3, 1960)
- 30: Linking Friendship Heights with Barney Circle via the former WR&E Tennallytown Line and Pennsylvania Avenue (ended January 3, 1960)
- 54: Running from Brightwood to Navy Yard along the Fourteenth Street Line and Pennsylvania Avenue (service ended January 28, 1962)
- 80: Operating between Rosslyn and Brookland via Pennsylvania Avenue and the former WR&E Brookland Line (terminated September 7, 1958)
- 82: Traveling from Potomac Park to Branchville via Pennsylvania Avenue and ex-WR&E Maryland Line (discontinued September 7, 1958)
- 90: Connecting Calvert Street Bridge to Barney Circle through the U Street Line, New Jersey Avenue Line, and Pennsylvania Avenue (ceased January 28, 1962)
Streetcar service on the Pennsylvania Avenue Line (Route 30) concluded on January 3, 1960; tracks east of 14th Street NW saw their final use on January 28, 1962. Presently, Route 54 buses cover segments of Pennsylvania Avenue that were once served by streetcars.
The Barney Circle to Randle Highlands streetcar line operated by the East Washington Heights Traction Company was replaced by bus service on December 1, 1923. Initially labeled Route C2 in 1936, this evolved into routes "32 & 34." Route 32 ran between Shipley Terrace and Friendship Heights; Route 34 connected Hillcrest with Friendship Heights.
Capital Traction initiated bus operations serving Hillcrest and Good Hope on December 23, 1924. Originally designated Route C6 in 1936, this service later transformed into routes "35 & 36," both linking Hillcrest with Friendship Heights but following slightly different paths compared to Route 34.
Following the streetcar phase-out, DC Transit took over management of routes 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36. These lines transitioned into Metrobus services on February 4, 1973 after WMATA acquired DC Transit along with other transit operators.
Transition to bus service
On July 15, 1977, Metro inaugurated stations at Potomac Avenue, Eastern Market, Federal Triangle, McPherson Square, Farragut West, and Foggy Bottom–GWU. Metrobus routes numbered 32, 34, 35, and 36 served these stations by adding stops while maintaining their established paths.
When Archives station opened on April 30, 1983, it became part of routes' 32, 34, 35, and 36 itineraries. Additionally, the former streetcar Route 30 was revived as a bus line connecting Archives and Friendship Heights.
With the August 25, 1984 launch of Friendship Heights station, routes numbered 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36 extended their northern terminus from Wisconsin Avenue NW and Western Avenue NW to this new Metro station. They also incorporated stops at Tenleytown–AU station into their schedules.
On January 13, 2001, following the opening of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue stations: routes 34, 35, and 36 extended southward from Naylor Gardens and Hillcrest to reach Naylor Road station; Route 32's endpoint shifted south from Shipley Terrace to Southern Avenue station; Route 30 connected Friendship Heights with Potomac Avenue stations without changes; Route 35 was rerouted along 30th Street between Erie Street and Naylor Road; Route 36 extended its path via 31st Street, Erie Street, and 30th Street to Naylor Road station.
Simplification
In response to rider feedback, WMATA revamped the Pennsylvania Avenue Line on June 29, 2008. Routes 30, 34, and 35 were eliminated and substituted by new Routes 31, 37, and 39, while Routes 32 and 36 remained active. The previous Route 34 was replaced by the M5 under the Naylor Road Line, running between Naylor Road station and Eastern Market station. Route 30’s peak weekday trips were succeeded by Route 37 on the Wisconsin Avenue Limited Line, a limited-stop MetroExtra service that operated express between Friendship Heights and Archives stations, reflecting Route 30’s prior path.
Route 39 debuted as part of the Pennsylvania Avenue Limited Line to offer limited-stop service during weekday peak hours between Naylor Road station and Foggy Bottom. To alleviate congestion on Wisconsin Avenue routes 32 and 36, WMATA launched Route 31 under the Wisconsin Avenue Line, providing additional service between Foggy Bottom–GWU and Friendship Heights stations.
On December 28, 2008, M5 was redesignated as Route 34 and extended to Archives station. This route connected Naylor Road and Archives stations via segments of routes 32 and 36 as part of the Naylor Road Line, separate from the Pennsylvania Avenue Line.
More Simplification
In 2013, WMATA proposed further streamlining for the Pennsylvania Avenue and Naylor Road Lines. The plan suggested truncating Routes 32 and 36 to terminate at Foggy Bottom, partially replaced by a new set of routes in the 30s series, and discontinuing Route 34. Four alternatives were presented to substitute portions of Routes 32 and 36, aiming to enhance frequency, reliability, and efficiency while offering direct bus connections between Southeast DC and Upper Northwest without transfers or downtown detours.
On August 24, 2014, WMATA enacted these changes by shortening Routes 32 and 36 to operate solely up to Foggy Bottom–GWU station, with the newly introduced 30N and 30S taking over their former segment to Friendship Heights station. Both routes provide continuous service around the clock with alternating hourly trips.
Moreover, a new Route 33 was launched alongside Route 31 to reinstate coverage along Wisconsin Avenue NW previously served by Routes 32 and 36 between Friendship Heights station and Federal Triangle.
Post-implementation, Routes 32, 34, and 36 continued under the consolidated Pennsylvania Avenue Line name, leading to the discontinuation of the Naylor Road Line label.
Later Changes
In 2015, WMATA suggested removing all evening and weekend operations for Route 34 due to most passengers opting for routes 30N, 30S, 32, or 36.
Effective March 27, 2016, late-night service after 9:19 PM and weekend runs for Route 34 were discontinued; riders were encouraged to use routes 30N and 36 as alternatives.
Beginning December 15, 2019, routes 32, 34, and 36 along with routes 30N, 30S, and 39 were rerouted via 4th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW near the National Mall to provide a more direct transit option.
During the COVID-19 crisis, all Route 34 services were suspended starting March 16, 2020. Routes 32 and 36 operated on a reduced Saturday supplemental schedule initially before shifting to a Sunday schedule from March 18. Weekend services were halted with replacement by routes 30N and 30S running every half hour. On August 23, 2020, full weekday schedules resumed for routes 32 and 36 along with enhanced weekend service substituting for suspended weekend routes (30N and 30S). Route 34 remained out of service.
WMATA’s FY2021 budget plan proposed complete elimination of Route 34 due to its redundancy with Routes 32 and 36 as part of efforts to simplify the overall 30s line; however, this proposal was withdrawn on April 2, 2020. The plan reappeared in WMATA’s FY2022 budget in February 2021.
On September 5, 2021, combined headways for Routes 32 and 36 improved to every twelve minutes daily, effectively supplanting Route 34 which was subsequently removed from WMATA’s website.
Owing to increased cases of the Omicron variant, service was temporarily reduced to Saturday schedules on weekdays but fully restored weekday operations on February 7, 2022.
Better Bus Redesign
In 2022, WMATA launched its inaugural comprehensive overhaul of the Metrobus Network through the Better Bus Redesign initiative.
By April 2023, WMATA presented its Draft Visionary Network, which included proposed adjustments such as rerouting Route 32 to travel along Constitution Avenue NW, Virginia Avenue NW, and 23rd Street NW, providing service to Foggy Bottom–GWU station and passing through Potomac Park under the designation Route DC111. The portion of Route 32 running along 23rd Street SE and Minnesota Avenue SE was planned to be shifted to 27th Street SE. Additionally, Route 36 was truncated to end at Archives station and rebranded as Route DC218.
In the Revised Draft Visionary Network, Route DC111 was renamed Route D12 and its path adjusted to reach the Kennedy Center via Washington Circle and New Hampshire Avenue NW. Nighttime service was proposed to operate between Southern Avenue station and Foggy Bottom–GWU station. Meanwhile, Route MD218 was transformed into Route D1X, a limited-stop express route extending from Naylor Road station to Foggy Bottom station via Constitution and Virginia Avenues, while also serving local stops within the Hillcrest area.
These proposals were integrated into WMATA's 2025 Proposed Network. Subsequently, Route D12 was redesignated as D10 without changes to its routing. Route D1X was shortened to terminate at Archives station, following its existing path from Naylor Road station before continuing along Independence Avenue SW to Archives via 7th Street NW, Constitution Avenue NW, and 9th Street NW.
On November 21, 2024, WMATA officially approved the Better Bus Redesign Network, streamlining service along the Pennsylvania Avenue Line.
Starting June 29, 2025, Route 32 will be renamed D10 and rerouted to serve the Kennedy Center instead of Potomac Park. Concurrently, Route 36 will be shortened to end at Archives station and renamed D1X, closely mirroring the previous service patterns of Routes 34 and 39.