You have questions. So do we!
How will transit stations benefit Columbia Pike?
The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization is working with the County to bring you a series of articles answering the important questions about the Columbia Pike Transit Stations coming this fall.
Read Part I: How will new stations differ from the Walter Reed prototype?
Read Part III: What do the transit stations cost?
Read Part IV: How long will Phase I construction of the first four stations take?
Growing Transit Need
The Columbia Pike corridor currently has the highest number of daily bus commuters in the Commonwealth of Virginia with ridership expected to increase as Amazon HQ2 grows in neighboring Crystal City.
Current Population
Columbia Pike’s 50,288 residents make up 17% of the County’s total population
Population Growth
▲ 34% between 2018 and 2019, expected to increase an additional 20+% by 2030
Daily Transit Riders
30% of Pike residents ride a bus at least 3 days per week
Daily Vehicle Traffic
28,000 and growing
The Amazon Effect
25,000 new jobs by 2030
50% of Amazon Employees use public transit
New routes planned, delivering one-seat ride to Crystal City
$150 million county investment in 2,400 housing units
More Than a Shelter
The transit stations will provide additional amenities beyond shelter from the elements that are specifically designed to provide faster commute times and enhance the entire transit experience.
Passenger Information
Updated maps of local bus routes and metro-style display screens providing real-time “next bus” arrivals
Multi-Bus Boarding
Station boarding platforms clearly define bus stopping points to allow two buses to pull in to the station at once, reducing wait times for boarding.
Raised Curbs for Near-Level Boarding
Buses will no longer need to manually lower and raise at each stop and will see improved operation with wheelchair ramps
Part of the Plan
The new transit stations are just one part of Arlington County’s Transit Development Plan and the Columbia Pike Premium Transit Network that will offer faster, more reliable, and easier-to-use bus.
Off-Vehicle Fare Collection
Paying your bus fare at the station will be available once all 23 stations are complete, providing faster commute times by reducing congestion and delays while boarding
Local Connections
A new Metrobus 16M route will offer a direct connection to Crystal City from every transit station on Columbia Pike and enhanced ART service will link nearby neighborhoods to Columbia Pike, Crystal City, and the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor
Transit Signal Priority & Limited-Stop Service
Express service and enhanced traffic signal technologies will provide commuters with more frequent and faster trips along Columbia Pike from Fairfax to the Pentagon and points in DC
Branded Vehicles and Information
Making transit easy to identify and understand
Value of Transit
Investment in the Columbia Pike Premium Transit Network is expected to make transit easier, safer, more attractive, and accessible while accommodating increases in ridership and spurring economic growth.
Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $4 in economic returns
Home Values
▲ 42%
Job Growth
▲ 50 (per $1M invested)
Business Sales
▲ $3M (per $1M invested)
Household Expenses
▼ $10K (compared to car ownership)
The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization will continue to work with the County to keep the public updated as we learn more about the project timeline, budget, and future phases.
Subscribe to CPRO’s newsletter to be the first to receive our next article where we’ll break down the transit stations’ costs and funding sources.