U Street–Garfield Line
| Company type | Public transit bus service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Capital Traction Company, Capital Transit Company, DC Transit |
| Founder | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C. |
| Products | Bus routes 90 and 92 |
| Owner | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
| Parent | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
| Website | www |
The U Street–Garfield Line, consisting of Routes 90 and 92, was a daily Metrobus service managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. It linked Anacostia station (Route 90) or Congress Heights station (Route 92) on the Green Line with the Duke Ellington Bridge (Route 90) in Adams Morgan or Reeves Center / U Street station (Route 92). During late night and early morning hours, Route 92 extended its trips to Duke Ellington Bridge. Service frequency ranged from every 12 to 24 minutes between 7 AM and 9 PM, and every 15 to 30 minutes outside those hours, with total journey times around 60 to 70 minutes.
Background
Routes 90 and 92 operate daily, connecting Anacostia station (for Route 90) or Congress Heights station (for Route 92) to either Duke Ellington Bridge (Route 90) or Reeves Center / U Street station (Route 92). In the late night and early morning periods, Route 92 trips are extended to Duke Ellington Bridge. Route 90 follows Howard Road and Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, whereas Route 92 takes Alabama Avenue, Naylor Road, and Marion Barry Avenue before merging onto Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. Both routes converge at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue and Good Hope Road, proceeding along M Street, then continuing via 8th Street, Florida Avenue, and U Street. While Route 92 concludes at Reeves Center / U Street station, Route 90 and the late night/early morning trips of Route 92 continue along U Street, then travel down 18th Street and Calvert Street to reach Duke Ellington Bridge. As of 2016 data, this corridor ranks as the fourth most heavily utilized Metrobus line, carrying close to 12,000 passengers daily.
On school days, additional Route 90 trips depart from KIPP DC College Prep heading toward Anacostia station at approximately 4:10 pm. These special runs travel via Brentwood Parkway, Mount Olivet Road, Montello Avenue, and K Street before rejoining the standard route at 8th Street. Furthermore, during weekday peak periods, extra Route 92 trips operate between Congress Heights and Eastern Market station to reduce congestion.
Both routes are dispatched from the Shepherd Parkway garage.
Route 90 stops
<section begin=dc90-table/>
| Bus stop | Direction | Connections |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | ||
| Calvert Street Loop / Calvert Street NW Duke Ellington Bridge |
Northbound terminal, Southbound station |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96, L2 |
| Calvert Street NW / Lanier Place NW | Southbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro |
| Adams Mill Road NW / Columbia Road NW | Northbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 42, 43, Late night/early morning Route 92, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro |
| 18th Street NW / Columbia Road NW | Southbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 42, 43, Late night/early morning Route 92, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro |
| 18th Street NW / Belmont Road NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 |
| 18th Street NW / California Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 |
| U Street NW / Florida Avenue NW | Northbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 |
| U Street NW / 17th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 |
| U Street NW / 16th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96, S2, S9 |
| U Street NW / 15th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 |
| U Street NW / 14th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, Late night/early morning Route 92, 96 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Metro |
| U Street NW / 13th Street NW U Street station |
Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 92, 96 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon |
| U Street NW / 11th Street NW | Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 92, 96 |
| U Street NW / Vermont Avenue NW U Street station |
Bidirectional | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 63, 64, 92, 96 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon |
| U Street NW / 9th Street NW | Southbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 92, 96 |
| Florida Avenue NW / 7th Street NW | Southbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 70, 79, Routes 92, 96 |
| Florida Avenue NW / Georgia Avenue | Northbound | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: Routes 70, 79, 92, 96 |
<section end=dc90-table/>
Route 92 stops
| Bus stop | Direction | Connections | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | ||||||
| Calvert Street Loop / Calvert Street NW Duke Ellington Bridge |
Northern terminal, Southern stop (only during late night and early morning) |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, L2 | ||||
| Calvert Street NW / Lanier Place NW | Southbound (available late night and early morning only) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro | ||||
| Adams Mill Road NW / Columbia Road NW | Northbound (limited to late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 42, 43, 90, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro | ||||
| 18th Street NW / Columbia Road NW | Southbound (restricted to late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 42, 43, 90, 96, L2 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Square Metro | ||||
| 18th Street NW / Belmont Road NW | Both directions (only late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96 | ||||
| 18th Street NW / California Street NW | Both directions (limited to late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96 | ||||
| U Street NW / Florida Avenue NW | Northbound (late night and early morning service only) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96 | ||||
| U Street NW / 17th Street NW | Both directions (available only late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96 | ||||
| U Street NW / 16th Street NW | Both directions (service limited to late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, S2, S9 | ||||
| U Street NW / 15th Street NW | Both directions (restricted to late night and early morning) | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96 | ||||
| U Street NW / 14th Street NW Reeves Center |
Northern terminal Both directions (late night and early morning only) |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, 90, 96, X3 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator: Woodley Park – Adams Morgan - McPherson Metro | ||||
| U Street NW / 13th Street NW U Street station |
Both directions Southern stop |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, X3 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon | ||||
| U Street NW / 11th Street NW | Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, X3 | ||||
| U Street NW / Vermont Avenue NW U Street station |
Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 63, 64, 90, 96, X3 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon | ||||
| U Street NW / 9th Street NW | Southbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, X3 | ||||
| Florida Avenue NW / 7th Street NW | Southbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 70, 79, 90, 96, X3 | ||||
| Florida Avenue NW / Georgia Avenue | Northbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 70, 79, 90, 96, X3 | ||||
| Florida Avenue NW / 6th Street NW | Both directions served | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, X3 | -
Florida Avenue NW / New Jersey Avenue NW |
Northbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, 96, G2, X3 | |
| Florida Avenue NW / Rhode Island Avenue | Southbound only | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, G8, X3 | ||||
| Florida Avenue NE / Eckington Place NE | Northbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, X3 | ||||
| Florida Avenue NE / NoMa-Gallaudet U station | Serves both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, X3 Template:Rint Washington Metro: Template:WMATA icon Template:Bike icon Metropolitan Branch Trail | ||||
| 8th Street NE / H Street NE | Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 90, X2 , X9 | ||||
| 8th Street SE / D Street SE Eastern Market station |
Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus: 32 ,36, 90 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator : Eastern Market – L'Enfant Plaza Congress Heights – Union Station Template:RintWashington Metro : Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon Template:WMATA icon | ||||
| M Street SE / 8th Street SE | Northbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus : 90 , P6 , V4 (Westbound only) Template:Bus icon MTA Maryland Bus : 315 Template:Bus icon PRTC OmniRide | ||||
| Marion Barry Avenue SE / Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE | Southbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus : A33 , B2 (Southbound only), P6 , V2 (Westbound only) Template:Bus icon DC Circulator : Congress Heights – Union Station | ||||
| Alabama Avenue SE / Stanton Road SE | Both directions | Template:Bus icon Metrobus : D51 , V7 , W1 , W2 , W3 , W4 , W6 , W8 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator : Congress Heights – Union Station | ||||
| Alabama Avenue SE / Congress Heights station | Northbound direction | Template:Bus icon Metrobus : D51 , V7 , W1 , W2 , W3 , W4 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator : Congress Heights – Union Station Template:RintWashington Metro : Template:WMATA icon | ||||
| Congress Heights station Bus Bay E |
Southern terminal, Northern stop |
Template:Bus icon Metrobus : D51 , V7 , W1 , W2 , W3 , W4 Template:Bus icon DC Circulator : Congress Heights – Union Station Template:RintWashington Metro : Template:WMATA icon | ||||
History
The origins of the U Street–Garfield Line trace back to the late 19th century under the operation of the Capital Traction Company, which ran streetcars. Route 92 operated along the Good Hope Line, while route 90 combined segments of the New Jersey Avenue, U Street, and Florida Avenue/8th Street lines. Both routes linked Southeast DC to Duke Ellington Bridge, traveling primarily via Calvert Street Loop, Barney Circle, and Washington Union Station, with main corridors along 8th Street, Florida Avenue, and U Street. Eventually, the line extended service to McLean Gardens. Electrification was completed for U Street in 1892 and later for Florida Avenue/8th Street in 1908.
The Good Hope Line transitioned from streetcars to buses on January 26, 1925. Meanwhile, route 90 continued as a streetcar until the Capital Traction Company merged with Washington Railway & Electric Company, creating Capital Transit Company. In 1956, DC Transit took over routes 90 and 92 and converted them to bus service by January 28, 1962. On January 4, 1973, WMATA assumed control of these routes.
To provide late-night transit options, routes 91 and 93 were introduced as the Garfield-Owl Line. On December 28, 1991, route 90 was rerouted to serve the newly opened Anacostia station, taking over a portion of route 94’s service between Anacostia and McLean Gardens.
On December 29, 1996, short trips on route 90 between Duke Ellington Bridge and McLean Gardens were replaced by extended runs on route 93. Beginning January 13, 2001, route 92 was extended from Garfield to the new Congress Heights station, absorbing all route 91 service and eliminating loop operations via 15th and Congress Place SE. Route 93 also became part of the U Street–Garfield Line at that time, extending service from Shipley Terrace to Congress Heights.
To enhance punctuality on June 24, 2007, WMATA shortened routes 90, 92, and 93 from McLean Gardens to Duke Ellington Bridge. Some rush hour trips still terminated at 14th and U streets NW. The segment between McLean Gardens and Duke Ellington Bridge was subsequently served by Route 96.
Between 2010 and 2011, WMATA collaborated with the District Department of Transportation to study the U Street–Garfield Line in response to rider concerns about overcrowding, noise levels, delays, infrequent service, safety issues, shelter availability, communication effectiveness, and potential western extensions toward Woodley Park station or McLean Gardens. At that period, buses operating on these routes were based out of Southern Avenue division and included Flxibles, D40LFRs, DE40LFAs, and Orion Vs.
On June 22, 2014, all trips on route 92 were truncated from Duke Ellington Bridge to U and 14th Streets NW (near U Street station), with southbound departures beginning at U & 13th Streets NW. The section between U Street station and Duke Ellington Bridge continued to be served by routes 90 and 93.
In an effort to streamline operations due to low ridership along Stanton, Pomeroy, and Morris Roads in 2015, WMATA proposed discontinuing route 93; alternative coverage was provided through routes 90, 92, and 94. Consequently, on March 27, 2016, route 93 was eliminated with its service absorbed by the other routes along with additional early morning and late evening trips.
Additional trips for route 92 between Congress Heights station and Eastern Market station were introduced on June 24, 2018.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, starting March 16, 2020, routes 90 and 92 operated on reduced schedules—initially adopting Saturday supplemental followed by Sunday schedules—with further weekend service reductions leading to suspension of weekend operations for route 92 on March 21. Route frequency for route 90 was decreased to every half hour. Full weekend service for route 92 resumed on August 23, 2020.
In a proposal during the same year, WMATA suggested eliminating short trips on route 92 that ran between Congress Heights and Eastern Market stations due to overlapping stop coverage and recommendations from the District Department of Transportation.
Service frequency saw an improvement on September 5, 2021, increasing to every twelve minutes daily between the hours of seven in the morning and nine in the evening.
As part of WMATA’s upcoming Better Bus Redesign scheduled for June 29, 2025, Route 92 will be extended to reach Woodley Park station and rebranded as Route C53. Meanwhile, Route 90 will merge partially with Route 96 between Anacostia and Tenleytown–AU station under the new designation Route C51.
Incidents
- On August 30, 2017, an attempt was made by a woman to kidnap a seven-year-old boy aboard a route 92 bus near the intersection of 8th and H streets. The individual fled when other passengers intervened. The suspect, identified as Thalia Denise Brown, was taken into custody on September 14, 2017.
- On October 5, 2018, a collision occurred between a route 92 bus and a van at the junction of 22nd Street and Alabama Avenue, leading to nine individuals being admitted to the hospital.