Add Bike Lanes, Shuttle Buses in Ward 6, Tommy Wells Says

The D.C. Department of Transportation can expand transit options for Hill residents by increasing the number of protected bike lanes and adding small shuttle buses, Ward 6 City Councilman Tommy Wells said.

Wells weighed in on the long-term MoveDC transportation plan Mayor Vincent Gray released Tuesday. The councilman praised the extensive 25-year plan but said it didn’t “get into the fine grain of what to do.”

“There’s been a major increase in bicycling in Ward 6, so they need to continue to look at protected bike lanes, like on Pennsylvania Avenue,” he said.

Wells also called for the use of small shuttle buses in underserved parts of the district.

“It’s a way to expand public transportation in areas not necessarily served by buses,” he said.

MoveDC called for the restoration of funding for 22 miles of streetcar tracks. Wells said “bumps in the road” to create the H Street NE streetcar have hurt general will to support the expansion of the network.

“The future of the streetcar is going to require private business leadership to step forward,” he said.

The citywide plan calls for improved traffic signals, additional sidewalks, upgraded pedestrian safety measures, dedicated bus lanes and more.