Norton to Speak at Launch of Megabus Intercity Bus Service at Union Station on Tuesday

Norton to Speak at Launch of Megabus Intercity Bus Service at Union Station on Tuesday

November 14, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) on Tuesday will speak at the Union Station bus deck ribbon cutting celebrating the beginning of Megabus intercity bus operations at Union Station at 10:30 a.m., as she continues her work that led to the first low-cost intercity bus service to and from Union Station in January 2010. The Megabus move, which follows the four other intercity bus carriers already running operations at Union Station, fulfills Norton's vision to make Union Station truly intermodal by adding an intercity bus hub and giving residents a choice of bus services running to and from the station.

"Megabus' low-cost transportation, serving well over a million people traveling to and from the District, is the perfect addition to the other companies that together are making Union Station the intermodal transportation hub we envisioned," Norton said. "In a tough economy like this one, residents very much need inexpensive travel options like intercity buses, but residents also deserve the option of departing from and arriving at a first-class facility."

Norton, who helped launch the kickoff of Megabus' new D.C. hub last November, has been working to ensure that a variety of bus companies could run their services out of Union Station. Norton said, "Discounted bus service from D.C. to cities across the country is a must for the nation's capital. Bus service is a necessity for D.C.'s hard-pressed residents suffering high unemployment. Full and convenient bus service to and from Union Station comes in time to help the District's tourist economy by making it easier to visit the District at a time when we are trying hard to ensure our tourism industry continues to produce for the city."

Norton has worked to develop Union Station into a true intermodal center by bringing in intercity bus service and expanding train service. Norton has stated for years that a first-class city such as the District should not have people waiting on congested street corners for intercity buses. Norton also noted that this launch comes as the National Transportation Safety Board last month released a report on intercity buses, which found that curbside bus companies are over five times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. Norton already has achieved agreement for the development of Burnham place, a three million square foot mixed-use project to be built above the rail yard at Union Stations space that was owned by the federal government. Once Burnham Place is completed, Norton said, there will be an intercity bus hub in the middle of a brand new community. Norton has held several hearings on the overhaul of Union Station, and has secured $500,000 in federal funds for Union Station redevelopment.