New bus routes gather speed to make parking, drives easier for south county residents

Prince George’s officials hope several proposed bus routes and route expansions in south county will ease commutes and parking for residents, and plan to set up a public task force to work on the final approved routes.

Officials from the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation met Jan. 18 with residents in the Fort Washington and Oxon Hill areas at Oxon Hill Library to gather feedback on the new bus routes.

Residents and staff of Fort Washington Manor, a senior apartment community off Indian Head Highway that is one of the new stops proposed along Route 35 of TheBus, the county’s bus transportation system, have been pushing for a new bus route nearby since the community opened almost six years ago.

Dolores C. Henderson, 78, who lives at Fort Washington Manor, said even for seniors who still drive, parking is often a hassle at certain locations.

“I am ecstatic,” she said. “Even though I drive, I would like the option to take the bus and to not have to drive. [With the new route] I don’t have to work so hard to get to places.”