North Bethesda

Metro’s Red Line shuttle buses during a summer construction project have posed accessibility challenges for riders with mobility issues, as motor coaches require climbing steps and cannot be lowered like standard Metro buses. Sherry Kaiman, a Chevy Chase resident with medical mobility challenges, reported difficulty boarding and observed another rider with a cane abandon the shuttle due to accessibility barriers. Metro stated shuttle operators were trained on accessibility procedures and cited fleet limitations as the reason for using contracted motor coaches instead of ADA-compliant buses.

Metro adjusted its strategy to manage Red Line crowds during a construction shutdown between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations, which began this week and lasts until Sept. 7. Changes include relocating shuttle buses, adding parking at the Western Division Bus Garage, and moving boarding locations to reduce long lines reported by riders.

DC’s Metro Red Line partially shut down, closing three stations and deploying shuttle buses. The closure is for construction on a new mezzanine at Bethesda station linked to the future Purple Line. Shuttles run between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights, with express and station-specific options.

Metro's summer Red Line shutdown from July 6 to Sept. 6 will close three stations (Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda), requiring free shuttle buses between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations. Dedicated bus lanes on Rockville Pike and Wisconsin Avenue have been installed to manage traffic during the closure. The project includes construction for a new mezzanine at Bethesda station to connect with the future Purple Line.