Northern Virginia

‘Devastating': Metro Eliminates Virginia Seniors' Bus Line

Asked to rank his displeasure, one rider said, "From 1 to 10 -- terrible. 10"

A community of senior citizens in Northern Virginia says the elimination of a Metrobus line has cut them off from services they need.

The 2T Metrobus was cut as of Sunday. Residents of the Tysons Towers apartments, where the average age is 85, say that means it's harder for them to get to the grocery store, doctor's office and barber shop.

Resident Wesley Carter, 79, uses a wheelchair after he recently had a stroke. The bus was his only form of transportation, which he used every day.

Asked to rank his displeasure, he said, "From 1 to 10 -- terrible. 10."

Resident Henry Perez chose to walk to the grocery store on Thursday. It took him 20 minutes each way, and by the time he was almost home, his frozen food was no longer frozen.

The general manager of Tysons Tower, Rosslyn Miller, said management is now paying a big monthly bill for private transportation for residents. Three hundred people live in the community.

"It's a big burden on our seniors here. It's devastating for most of them that use it on a daily basis," she said.

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Metro says it cut the bus line because of low ridership, as part of cost-cutting measures. The Fairfax Connector's 462 and 463 routes follow the same path, but getting on board for Tysons Towers residents usually require a half-mile walk up a big hill.

If the Tysons Towers residents want to catch a bus that runs on a regular schedule, they have to go to the busy intersection of Chain Bridge and Old Courthouse roads, crossing busy streets.

Perez said he's frustrated that his community doesn't seem to matter to Metro.

"Nobody cares. Nobody cares," he fumed.

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