Crosstown Line (Washington, D.C.)

Wisconsin Avenue, Porter Street NW (H4), Van Ness Street NW (H2 to Brookland), Veazey Street NW (H2 to Tenleytown), Connecticut Avenue (H2), Columbia Road NW (to Tenleytown), Irving Street NW (to Brookland), Michigan Avenue NW/NE

End

Tenleytown–AU station

Length

48-50 minutes

Service

Level

Daily

Frequency

12 - 24 minutes (7AM - 9PM)
20 - 40 minutes (After 9PM)

Operates

H2: 4:53 AM - 12:16 AM
H4: 24 Hours

Ridership

687,166 (H2, FY 2023)831,210 (H4, FY 2023)

Transfers

SmarTrip only

Timetable

Crosstown Line

Route map

← G14

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H6 →

The Crosstown Line, designated Routes H2 and H4, is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Brookland–CUA station and Tenleytown–AU station of the Red Line of the Washington Metro. The line operates every 24 minutes between 7AM and 9PM, and 20 - 40 minutes after 9PM at a combined frequency of 12 minutes during the day and, 20 minutes during the late nights. Trips roughly take 48 minutes to complete.

Background

Routes H2 and H4 operate as part of the Crosstown Line between Brookland–CUA station and Tenleytown–AU station. Routes H2 and H4 serve the hospital complex along 1st Street. The line splits after serving Columbia Heights station. Route H2 mainly operates along Adams Mill Road, Connecticut Avenue, Van Ness Street, and Veazey Street. While Route H4 mainly operates along Mount Pleasant Street, Park Road, Porter Street, and Wisconsin Avenue. Both routes connect Brookland and Tenleytown stations by bus without having to take the Red Line.

Routes H2 and H4 currently operate out of Bladensburg division with some select weekday trips operating out of Western division.

H2 stops

Bus stop	Direction	Connections
40th Street NW / Albemarle Street NW Tenleytown-AU station	Eastbound stop, Westbound terminal	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H3, H4, M4, N2, W45, W47 AU Shuttle Washington Metro:
Fort Drive NW / Nebraska Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H4, M4, N2, W47
Fort Drive NW / Tenley Circle NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H4, M4, N2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Tenley Circle NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H4, M4, N2, W47
Veazey Street NW / 39th Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H4, W47
Van Ness Street NW / Wisconsin Avenue	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H4, W47
Veazey Street NW / 38th Street NW	Westbound
Van Ness Street NW / 38th Street NW	Eastbound
Veazey Street NW / 37th Street NW	Westbound
Van Ness Street NW / 37th Street NW	Eastbound
Veazey Street NW / Reno Road NW	Westbound
Van Ness Street NW / Reno Road NW	Bidirectional
Van Ness Street NW / University of the District of Columbia Building 41	Westbound
Van Ness Street NW / International Drive NW (West)	Eastbound
Van Ness Street NW / International Drive NW (East)	Eastbound
Van Ness Street NW / Connecticut Avenue	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, L2
Connecticut Avenue / Van Ness Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, L2
Connecticut Avenue / Tilden Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, L2
Connecticut Avenue / Sedgwick Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, L2
Connecticut Avenue / Porter Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, L2
Porter Street NW / #2723	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Porter Street NW / #2724	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Porter Street NW / #2501	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Porter Street NW / #2500	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Porter Street NW / Williamsburg Lane NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Adams Mill Road NW / Klingle Road NW	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H4, W47
Adams Mill Road NW / Walbridge Place NW	Bidirectional
Irving Street NW / Adams Mill Road NW	Eastbound
Adams Mill Road NW / Irving Street NW	Westbound
Harvard Street NW / Adams Mill Road NW	Westbound
Harvard Street NW / #1650	Westbound
Irving Street NW / Hobart Street NW	Eastbound
Harvard Street NW / Argonne Place NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H4
Irving Street NW / Mount Pleasant Street	Eastbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, H4 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Irving Street NW / 16th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H4, H8, S2, S9, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Columbia Road NW / 16th Street NW	Westbound	42, 43, D32, H1, H3, H4, S2, S9, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Irving Street NW / 14th Street NW Columbia Heights station	Eastbound	Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, D32, H4, H8, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro Washington Metro:
Columbia Road NW / 14th Street NW Columbia Heights station	Westbound	Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, D32, H1, H4, H8, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro Washington Metro:
Irving Street NW / 13th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H4, H8
Columbia Road NW / 13th Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H4, H8
Irving Street NW / 11th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 63, 64, H4, H8
Columbia Road NW / 11th Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 63, 64, H4, H8
Irving Street NW / Sherman Avenue NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H4
Columbia Road NW / Sherman Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H4
Irving Street NW / Georgia Avenue	Eastbound	Metrobus: 70, 79, H4
Columbia Road NW / Georgia Avenue	Westbound	Metrobus: 70, 79, H4
Irving Street NW / Warder Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H4
Columbia Road NW / Warder Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H4
Irving Street NW / Park Place NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H4
Michigan Avenue NW / Children's National Hospital	Bidirectional	Metrobus: H4
Michigan Avenue NW / First Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H4
First Street NW / Michigan Avenue NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H4
Veterans Affairs Hospital / Main Entrance	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H4
First Street NW / Entrance to MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H4
MedStar Washington Hospital Center / Outpatient Clinic	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H4
Michigan Avenue NW / North Capitol Street	Eastbound	Metrobus: 80, D8, H4
Michigan Avenue NE / North Capitol Street	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, D8, H4
Michigan Avenue NE / Franklin Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, H4
Michigan Avenue NE / Irving Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, H4
Michigan Avenue NE / 4th Street NE	Eastbound	Metrobus: 80, H4
Michigan Avenue NE / Gibbons Hall (Catholic University of America)	Westbound	Metrobus: 80, H4
Monroe Street NE / 7th Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, G8, H4
Brookland–CUA station Bus Bay B	Westbound stop, Eastbound terminal	Metrobus: 80, G8, H4, H6, H8, H9, R4 CUA Shuttle: Blue, Green ACHS Shuttle: Brookland Metro Metropolitan Branch Trail Washington Metro:

H4 stops

Bus stop	Direction	Connections
40th Street NW / Albemarle Street NW Tenleytown-AU station	Eastbound stop, Westbound terminal	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, M4, N2, W45, W47 AU Shuttle Washington Metro:
Fort Drive NW / Nebraska Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, M4, N2, W47
Fort Drive NW / Tenley Circle NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, M4, N2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Tenley Circle NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, M4, N2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Veazey Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Van Ness Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Upton Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, W47
Wisconsin Avenue / Rodman Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / Wisconsin Avenue	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 31, 33, 96, D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / 37th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / Idaho Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / 35th Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / 34th Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / #3040	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / #3055	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, W47
Porter Street NW / Connecticut Avenue Cleveland Park station	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, H2, L1, L2, W47 Washington Metro:
Porter Street NW / Quebec Street NW Cleveland Park station	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, L1, L2, W47 Washington Metro:
Porter Street NW / #2723	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / #2724	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / #2501	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / #2500	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Porter Street NW / Williamsburg Lane NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Klingle Road NW / Rosemount Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: D32, H2, W47
Klingle Road NW / Walbridge Place NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: D32, W47
Park Road NW / 19th Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, W47
Park Road NW / 18th Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D32, W47
Park Road NW / Mount Pleasant Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H8, W47
Mount Pleasant Street NW / Lamont Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H8, W47
Mount Pleasant Street NW / Kenyon Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H8, W47
Harvard Street NW / Argonne Place NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H1, H2
Mount Pleasant Street NW / Irving Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 42, 43 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Irving Street NW / 16th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 42, 43, D32, H2, H8, S2, S9, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Columbia Road NW / 16th Street NW	Westbound	42, 43, D32, H2, S2, S9, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro
Irving Street NW / 14th Street NW Columbia Heights station	Eastbound	Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, D32, H2, H8, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro Washington Metro:
Columbia Road NW / 14th Street NW Columbia Heights station	Westbound	Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, D32, H2, H8, W47 DC Circulator Woodley Park–Adams Morgan–McPherson Square Metro Washington Metro:
Irving Street NW / 13th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H2, H8
Columbia Road NW / 13th Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H2, H8
Irving Street NW / 11th Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: 63, 64, H2, H8
Columbia Road NW / 11th Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: 63, 64, H2, H8
Irving Street NW / Sherman Avenue NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H2
Columbia Road NW / Sherman Avenue NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H2
Irving Street NW / Georgia Avenue	Eastbound	Metrobus: 70, 79, H2
Columbia Road NW / Georgia Avenue	Westbound	Metrobus: 70, 79, H2
Irving Street NW / Warder Street NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H2
Columbia Road NW / Warder Street NW	Westbound	Metrobus: H2
Irving Street NW / Park Place NW	Eastbound	Metrobus: H2
Michigan Avenue NW / Children's National Hospital	Bidirectional	Metrobus: H2
Michigan Avenue NW / First Street NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H2
First Street NW / Michigan Avenue NW	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H2
Veterans Affairs Hospital / Main Entrance	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H2
First Street NW / Entrance to MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H2
MedStar Washington Hospital Center / Outpatient Clinic	Bidirectional	Metrobus: D8, H2
Michigan Avenue NW / North Capitol Street	Eastbound	Metrobus: 80, D8, H2
Michigan Avenue NE / North Capitol Street	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, D8, H2
Michigan Avenue NE / Franklin Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, H2
Michigan Avenue NE / Irving Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, H2
Michigan Avenue NE / 4th Street NE	Eastbound	Metrobus: 80, H2
Michigan Avenue NE / Gibbons Hall (Catholic University of America)	Westbound	Metrobus: 80, H2
Monroe Street NE / 7th Street NE	Bidirectional	Metrobus: 80, G8, H2
Brookland–CUA station Bus Bay B	Westbound stop, Eastbound terminal	Metrobus: 80, G8, H2, H6, H8, H9, R4 CUA Shuttle: Blue, Green ACHS Shuttle: Brookland Metro Metropolitan Branch Trail Washington Metro:

History

Routes H2 and H4 originally operated under streetcars by the Capital Traction Company. The line was then made into buses in the 1920s. Routes H2 and H4 operated between Fort Lincoln and Westmoreland Circle connecting Tenleytown, Forest Hills, Cleveland Park, Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Rock Creek Park, Brookland along Yuma Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, Porter Street NW (H4), Van Ness/Veazey Street NW (H2), Connecticut Avenue (H2), Columbia Road NW, Irving Street NW, Michigan Avenue NW/NE, Franklin Street NE, and 14th Street NE. It mostly provides service in outer DC without having to enter Downtown.

The line was later acquired by DC Transit in 1956 and later diverted to serve the Washington Hospital Complexes along 1st Street. It later became a Metrobus route in 1973.

On February 19, 1978, after Brookland–CUA station opened, routes H2 and H4 were diverted off Monroe Street to serve the new station. This gives residents access to the Red Line on its route. No route changes were made during its route.

On August 25, 1984, routes H2 and H4 were rerouted off Tenley Circle to serve Tenleytown–AU station in the middle of its route when it opened. No route changes were made on the route.

On September 18, 1999, after Columbia Heights station opened a series of changes were made to the H2 and H4.

Routes H2 was shorten to terminate at Van Ness–UDC station and route H4 was shorten to terminate at Tenleytown–AU station. Service to Westmoreland Circle and along Yuma Street was replaced by a new route N8 which will operate between Van Ness and Wesley Heights. This was due to resident complaint along Yuma Street and Tenleytown over H2 and H4 buses making loud noises along Yuma street causing noise pollution and damage to homes. The new N8 solves the noise complaint problem by using smaller and quieter 30 ft buses.

Routes H2 and H4 were also shorten from Fort Lincoln to Brookland–CUA station with the portion between the two points was replaced by a new route H6 which operates on the former route H2 and H4 routing.

A new route H3 was introduced to operate alongside route H4 during the weekday peak-hours between Brookland and Tenleytown stations following route H2's routing in Mount Pleasant and route H4 routing along Porter Street and Wisconsin Avenue plus operating along Reno Road. The main difference is route H3 would not serve the Hospital Complexes along 1st street and instead remain along Michigan Avenue.

On June 25, 2000, route H3 was rerouted along the H4 routing on Mount Pleasant Street, Park and Klingle roads instead of operating along Adams Mill Road, Irving Street, and Harvard Street where the H2 operates.

In 2010 during WMATA's FY2011 budget year, WMATA proposed to reroute route H2 back to Tenleytown–AU station discontinuing service to Van Ness–UDC station in order to replace route N8 which is proposed to be eliminated due to declining ridership. Route H2 would operate along Van Ness Street, Reno Road, Veazey Street, and Wisconsin Avenue. Route H3 would also be rerouted between the intersections of Porter Street & Reno Road NW and Wisconsin Avenue & Veazey Street NW via Porter Street and Wisconsin Avenue which follows the current H4 route. Alternative service along Connecticut Avenue to Van Ness will be available on routes L1, L2, and L4.

On December 19, 2010, route H2 was rerouted to turn on Van Ness Street, Reno Road, Veazey Street, and Wisconsin Avenue to serve Tenleytown–AU station in order to replace the N8 routing along those streets which was shortened to Tenleytown station. Route H3 service was also rerouted to remain on Porter Street and turn onto Wisconsin Avenue and follow the H4 routing to Tenleytown station. Service along Reno Street where the H3 operated plus H2 service to Van Ness–UDC station, and H3 service inside the Hospital Complex was discontinued. Routes L1, L2, and L4 took over the discontinued portion of the H2 along Connecticut Avenue but there was no alternative service is provided on Reno Road. As of 2020, there has been no major changes to routes H2, H3, or H4.

In September 2013, during WMATA's FY2014 budget year, WMATA proposed to convert route H3 into a MetroExtra limited-stop route and extend the route to Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood station via 12th street and Rhode Island Avenue. This was to provide a more direct connection between Rhode Island Ave station, the hospital center complex, and Columbia Heights and provide a faster ride across town by limiting the number of stops. The current H3 routing between Brookland and Tenleytown, weekday service frequency and span of service will remain unaffected. Route H3 will serve the following stops:

Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood station
Brookland–CUA station
Michigan Avenue & 1st Street NW
Georgia Avenue
11th Street
14th Street
16th Street
Park Road & Mount Pleasant Street
Porter Street & Connecticut Avenue
Porter Street & Wisconsin Avenue
Tenleytown–AU station

Existing local stops will still be provided by routes H2 and H4.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all route H3 was suspended and route H2 and H4 was reduced to operate on its Saturday supplemental schedule beginning on March 16, 2020. However, on March 18, 2020, the line was further reduced to operate on its Sunday schedule. On March 21, 2020, route H2 weekend service was suspended and route H4 service was reduced to operate every 30 minutes. Additional service was added and Route H2 weekend service was restored on August 23, 2020, however route H3 remained suspended.

In September 2020, WMATA proposed to eliminate all route H3 service due to low federal funds. Later in February 2021, due to low federal funds, WMATA proposed to reroute the H2 and H4 to Friendship Heights station via Connecticut Avenue NW north of Calvert Street NW to replace the L1 and L2 beginning in January 2022. Service to Tenleytown–AU station, on Porter Street between Connecticut and Wisconsin Avenues, Wisconsin Avenue, and on Van Ness Street between Connecticut and Wisconsin Avenues and on Veazey Street will be eliminated.

On September 5, 2021, service was increased to operate every 12 minutes between both routes between 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Incidents

On July 21, 2014, an H4 driver and a 65-year-old male passenger got into an altercation near Tenleytown station after the passenger refused to pay the fare. The man punched the driver in the face while holding a blade in his fist. The driver was sent to the hospital after sustained a laceration to his face. The man was detained by the Metropolitan Police Department and later arrested by Metro Transit Police. The man was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
On January 22, 2020, an XN40 on the H4 slammed into half a dozen vehicles along Porter Street & Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park.

References

^ "Metrobus FY2023 Annual Line Performance Report" (PDF). wmata.com. April 27, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
^ "CUA Shuttle Bus Schedule" (PDF). CUA Department of Public Safety. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
"WASHINGTON DC TRANSIT ROUTES". www.chicagorailfan.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
"History". Retrieved 21 June 2020.
Lynton, Stephen J. (24 August 1984). "Metro Plans to Revise D.C., Montgomery Bus Routes for Red Line". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
"Staff Report on the Proposal to Increase Fares and Parking on Four Holidays and the FY07 Service Changes" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
"September 20, 2004 - Commentary - The last cross-town bus: Part 2". www.thecommondenominator.com. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
"Metrobus service changes effective June 25, 2000 District of Columbia". Archived from the original on February 2, 2001. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
"DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2011" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
"Metrobus Route Changes". WMATA. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
"DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2014" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
"Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
"METRO SERVICE LEVELS & HOURS FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY, STARTING WEDNESDAY | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
"Weekend: Metro service limited to 26 bus routes, reduced rail service; expect wait times of 30 minutes; customers urged to travel only if essential | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
"Metrobus Service Changes beginning August 23 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
"Proposed Service Adjustments by Jurisdiction" (PDF). Retrieved 27 September 2020.
"FY22 Proposed Metrobus Service Changes District of Columbia" (PDF). Retrieved 25 March 2021.
"Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021". Retrieved 16 August 2021.
Cohen, Matt. "Metrobus Driver Attacked By Passenger In Tenleytown". DCist. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
Alim, Teta; Basch, Michelle (22 January 2020). "Metrobus crash causes damage to multiple parked vehicles in Northwest DC". WTOP. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

Category:

Metrobus (Washington, D.C.) routes