WASHINGTON (CBSDC) — Metrobus riders can look forward to a second round of improvements to bus service in the near future.

As a part of the Better Bus Initiative, Metro will commit a $5 million to improve bus service to improve on-time performance and reliability while reducing crowding on a number heavily traveled routes.

The first round of changes will take effect Sunday, Sept. 30 when customers can expect more limited-stop MetroExtra routes as well as refinements to 11 other routes.

More than 150,000 people will benefit from the changes according to Metro. The agency is adding additional capacity and expanded hours of operation at select routes.

Among the service enhancements that take effect with the Sept. 30 schedule change are:

• Conversion of the 16F and 16Y routes on Columbia Pike to limited-stop MetroExtra service.
• Utilization of the limited-stop blue MetroExtra buses on the 28X route on Leesburg Pike.
• Schedule adjustments on the MetroExtra J4 College Park-Bethesda route, the Y5, Y7, Y8, and Y9 routes on Georgia Avenue, Maryland, and on REX, Richmond Highway Express line.

Metro will implement another series of improvements later this fiscal year.