Direct Metrobus Route From Alexandria To Metro Center Added

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A new Metrobus route is set to connect Alexandria with downtown D.C., providing an alternative to Metrorail during track work and other disruptions.

As of Dec. 15, the new Route A29 will provide weekday rush hour service from the Van Dorn Street Metro to Metro Center via the Interstate 395 Express Lanes. Other major stops include Beauregard Street, Mark Center, Southern Towers and Shirlington. Buses will run every 24 minutes from Northern Virginia to Washington, D.C., only in the morning, and every 24 minutes from Washington, D.C. to Northern Virginia only in the afternoon. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s I-395/95 Commuter Choice grant program funded the new Metrobus route.

Metro announced other adjustments to 50 Metrobus routes to address crowding and reliability in response to feedback.

This is the second route providing direct bus service between Alexandria and D.C. The other route is the F19 Mt Vernon Estate Express, which originates in Fairfax County and has stops in Alexandria and downtown D.C.

In late June, Metro had launched its Better Bus Network, a redesign of bus routes to simplify routes and provide quicker service based on the region's rider needs. Routes that originate in Alexandria and Arlington begin with an A.

Metro has already announced plans for 10 weekend shutdowns in February, May and June 2026 between Pentagon City, Reagan National Airport and the Potomac Yard stations on the Yellow and Blue Lines. The National Airport and Crystal City stations will be closed during the weekend shutdowns. That means riders coming from Blue and Yellow Line stations to the south won't be able to continue Metrorail past Potomac Yard north toward Arlington and D.C. during the shutdowns.