Military Road Line

{{Short description|Bus route in Washington, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox bus line |box_width = 250px |number = C81 |logo =  |logo_width = |logo_alt =  |bgcolor =  |titlecolor =  |subheader = Military Road Line |operatorlogo = Metrobus Logo 2025.svg |oplogo_width = 175px |image = WMATA 2020 New Flyer XN40 3331 on Route C81.jpg |image_width = 250px |image_alt =  |caption = Route C81 at Fort Totten station |system = Metrobus |operator = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |garage = Western |livery = Local |pvr = |status = Active |open = 1970s |close = E4: June 29, 2025 |predecessors = |night = |locale = Northwest, Northeast |communities = The Palisades, Cathedral Heights, Tenleytown, Chevy Chase, Sixteenth Street Heights, Brightwood Park, Fort Totten |landmarks = Sibley Memorial Hospital, American University, Tenleytown station, Chevy Chase, Rock Creek Park, Fort Totten station |termini =  |start = Sibley Memorial Hospital |via = Nebraska Avenue NW, Military Road NW, Kennedy Street NW, Missouri Avenue NW, Riggs Road NE |end = Fort Totten station |length = |compete = |ibus = |level = Daily |level1 = |frequency = 20 - 30 minutes |alt_frequency = |time = |day = 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM |zone = |timetable_link=[https://www.wmata.com/content/dam/wmata-com/Timetables/C91_timetable.pdf Military Road Line] |ridership = 1,105,812 (FY 2025)<ref name=ridership>{{cite web | title=Metrobus FY2025 Annual Line Performance Report | website=wmata.com | url=https://www.wmata.com/about/records/upload/ALPR-FY2025_DRAFT_20260107.pdf | access-date=May 9, 2026}}</ref> |transfers = SmarTrip only |map_link = |map = |map_state = |map_name = |previous_line = C77 |next_line = C83 |notes = }} The '''Military Road Line''', designated '''Route C81''', is a daily bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between the Sibley Memorial Hospital and Fort Totten station of the Red, Green and Yellow Lines of the Washington Metro. The line runs every 20{{nbsp}}minutes between 6{{nbsp}}am and 9{{nbsp}}pm and 30{{nbsp}}minutes after 9{{nbsp}}pm. Trips takes roughly 45{{nbsp}}minutes.

==Background== {{unreferenced section|date=December 2025}} Route C81 operates daily between Sibley Memorial Hospital and Fort Totten station daily. This line mainly connects Northwest and Northeast by bus without having to ride the train and provides service along Nebraska Avenue NW, Military Road NW, and Kennedy Street NW. Route C81 operates out of Bladensburg division.

===Stops=== <section begin=dcE4-table/> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !Bus stop !Direction !Connections |- !colspan="3"|Montgomery County, Maryland |- !Friendship Heights Bus Bay J |'''Eastbound station, Westbound terminal''' |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 31, 33, L8, N2, N4, N6, T2 {{bus icon}} '''Ride On''': 1, 11, 23, 29, 34 {{bus icon}} Friendship Heights Village Bus {{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Western Avenue / Livingston Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': L8 {{bus icon}} '''Ride On''': 1, 11 |- !Western Avenue / 41st Street NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': L8 {{bus icon}} '''Ride On''': 1, 11 |- !colspan="3"|Washington, D.C. |- !McKinley Street NW / Western Avenue |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': L8 {{bus icon}} '''Ride On''': 1, 11 |- !McKinley Street NW / 39th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !McKinley Street NW / Connecticut Avenue |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': L2 |- !McKinley Street NW / Chevy Chase Parkway NW |Bidirectional | |- !McKinley Street NW / Nevada Avenue NW |Bidirectional | |- !McKinley Street NW / Broad Branch Road NW |Bidirectional | |- !McKinley Street NW / 33rd Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !McKinley Street NW / 32nd Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !30th Place NW / Nebraska Avenue NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': M4 |- !30th Place NW / Legation Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': M4 |- !30th Place NW / Military Road NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': M4 |- !Military Road NW/ 30th Street NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road NW / 29th Street NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road NW / 28th Street NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road / 27th Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road NW / Glover Road NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road NW / Oregon Avenue NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, W45 |- !Military Road NW / 16th Street NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, S2, S9, W45 |- !Missouri Avenue NW / 16th Street NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D31, D33, D34, S2, S9, W45 |- !14th Street NW / Missouri Avenue NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, 59, D34, W45 |- !14th Street NW / Oglethorpe Street NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, 59, D34, W45 |- !14th Street NW / Nicholson Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, D34, W45 |- !14th Street NW / Montague Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, D34, W45 |- !14th Street NW / Longfellow Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, D34, W45 |- !Kennedy Street NW / Colorado Avenue NW |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, 59, D34, W45 |- !Kennedy Street NW / 14th Street NW |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 52, 54, 59, D34, W45 |- !Kennedy Street NW / 13th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Kennedy Street NW / Georgia Avenue |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 70, 79 |- !Kennedy Street NW / 9th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Kennedy Street NW / 8th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Kennedy Street NW / 7th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Kennedy Street NW / 5th Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 62, 63 |- !Kennedy Street / 4th Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Kennedy Street NW / 3rd Street NW |Eastbound | |- !3rd Street NW / Kennedy Street NW |Westbound | |- !Missouri Avenue NW / 2nd Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Missouri Avenue NW / New Hampshire Avenue NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 64 |- !Riggs Road NE / North Capitol Street |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, K2, K6 |- !Riggs Road NE / Blair Road NE |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, K2, K6 |- !Riggs Road NE / Rock Creek Church Road NE |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, K2, K6 |- !First place NE / Riggs Road NE |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, K2, K6, R1, R2 |- !First place NE / Ingraham Street NE |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, K2, K6, R1, R2 |- !Fort Totten Bus Bays E and K |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 60, 64, 80, E2, F6, K2, K6, K9, R1, R2 {{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}}{{WMATA icon|Green}} |- !Galloway Street NE / 4th Street NE |Eastbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': 80 (Southbound only), E2 (Southbound only), F6 (Eastbound only) |- !South Dakota Avenue NE / Kennedy Street NE |Eastbound | |- !Riggs Road NE / South Dakota Avenue NE |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': R1, R2 |- !Riggs Road NE / Chillum Place NE |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': K9, R1, R2 |- !Chillum Place NE / Kennedy Street NE |Eastbound | |- !Chillum Place NE / #5312 |Eastbound | |- !Chillum Place NE / 11th Street NE |Eastbound | |- !Chillum Place NE / Eastern Avenue |Eastbound | |- !Eastern Avenue / Jamaica Street NE Riggs Park |'''Westbound station, Eastbound terminal''' | |- !Nicholson Street NE / 8th Street NE |Westbound | |- !Nicholson Street NE / 6th Street NE |Westbound | |- !Nicholson Street NE / Riggs Road NE |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': R1, R2 |- !Riggs Road NE / Nicholson Street NE |Westbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': R1 (Southbound only), R2 (Southbound only) |-  |}<section end="dcE4-table" />

==History== thumb|right|250px|Former Route E4 in Chevy Chase Route E2, E3, E4, E5, and E8 all operated as part of the Military Road–Crosstown Line through the years starting from Friendship Heights station. Route E4 originally operated up to University City Apartments in Lewisdale, Maryland but was shorten to Riggs Park in the 1970s. Routes E2, E3, and E4 terminated at Friendship Heights while E5 and E8 were shorten to Friendship Heights in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lynton |first1=Stephen J. |title=Metro Plans to Revise D.C., Montgomery Bus Routes for Red Line |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1984/08/24/metro-plans-to-revise-dc-montgomery-bus-routes-for-red-line/6c55284f-11d2-4f73-9bb2-faaac310fdd5/ |website=Washington Post |accessdate=14 May 2020 |date=24 August 1984}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=E2, E3, E4 – Military Road-Crosstown Line |url=https://metroventure.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/e2-e3-e4-military-road-crosstown-line/ |website=Metro-Venture |accessdate=14 May 2020 |language=en |date=14 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Routes E2-E3-E4 - Metrobus Studies |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/47462634/routes-e2-e3-e4-metrobus-studies |website=yumpu.com |accessdate=14 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

During the years, the E5 and E8 were discontinued and route E6 operated as part of the Chevy Chase Line. Prior to 2015, route E2 would operate between Friendship Heights station and Ivy City (Okie & 16th Streets NE), route E4 would operate between Friendship Heights and Riggs Park (Eastern Ave & Jamaica St NE) during the weekday peak hours only, and route E3 would operate on midday and weekends only between Friendship Heights and Ivy City via Riggs Park as a combination to route E2 and E4. During most hours of the day, route E2 would operate between Friendship Heights and Fort Totten station only and only serves Ivy City during the weekday peak hours, and early morning and late night periods through the week.

Beginning on September 24, 2006, route E3 midday service was eliminated and replaced by full route E2 and route E4. Route E4 and the full route E2 now operated during all days during the weekdays while the E3 only operated during the weekends. Route E2 kept its short trips between Friendship Heights and Fort Totten which only operated during times when the E3 did operate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus service changes in the District of Columbia begin September 24 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=3874 |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>

In 2012, WMATA proposed to eliminate routes E3 and E4 and shorten route E2 between Friendship Heights station and Fort Totten station. Service between Fort Totten and Riggs Park/Ivy City would be replaced by an extended route D4 and F6 reroute. According to WMATA, this was to reduce running time and improve on-time performance, provide a level of service along the different portions of the line east and west of Fort Totten commensurate with the significantly different passenger demand on the two portions, and allow for a more even frequency of service on the western portion of the line where the greatest demand occurs.<ref>{{cite web |title=DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2013 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/public-hearings/upload/B12-03_District_Docket_final_wmaps.pdf |accessdate=19 May 2020}}</ref>

In 2014, WMATA proposed to split the E2 and E4 into two separate routes. Route E4 will keep its current routing to Riggs Park with short trips operate between Friendship Heights station and Fort Totten station while route E2 will operate its current routing between Fort Totten and Ivy City. This will improve reliability of service by operating shorter routes and create a better balance of capacity and demand throughout the line. It will be every 16–20 minutes for all three routes during a.m. and p.m. peak periods, and every 36–40 minutes for all three routes off-peak and weekends and will have timed transfers at Fort Totten to minimize wait time.<ref>{{cite web |title=DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROPOSED BUS SERVICE CHANGES FISCAL YEAR 2015 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/public-hearings/upload/DC_Docket.pdf |accessdate=14 May 2020}}</ref>

On June 21, 2015, route E2 and E4 were split into two different bus lines. Route E4 kept the '''Military Road–Crosstown Line''' name while route E2 was renamed into the '''Ivy City–Fort Totten Line''' also being shorten between Fort Totten station and Ivy City on its current routing. Route E4 was also given weekend service fully replacing route E3 as well. A small section of route E3's routing along Sargent Road and Eastern Avenue wasn't replaced as stops along the route are in walking distance to routes E2 and E4 bus stops.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levine |first1=Ethan |title=Metrobus Service, Schedule Changes to Take Effect Sunday |url=https://patch.com/maryland/bowie/metrobus-service-schedule-changes-take-effect-sunday-0 |website=Patch |accessdate=14 May 2020 |language=en |date=19 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus U and V Lines Changes in Effect June 21 |url=https://planitmetro.com/tag/u2/ |website=PlanItMetro |accessdate=14 May 2020}}</ref>

Route E4 will have frequencies between Friendship Heights and Fort Totten every 8–10 minutes during AM and PM peak periods and every 18–20 minutes off-peak and weekends.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus E Line Restructure Coming June 21 |url=https://planitmetro.com/tag/e4/ |website=PlanItMetro |accessdate=14 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=4948&t=bus |title=Metrobus Service Changes Beginning June 21 |date=June 21, 2015 |accessdate=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613080640/http://wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=4948&t=bus|archive-date=June 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the route was reduced to operate on its Saturday supplemental schedule during the weekdays beginning on March 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-announces-additional-COVID-19-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> On March 18, 2020, the line was further reduced to operate on its Sunday schedule.<ref>{{cite web |title=METRO SERVICE LEVELS & HOURS FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY, STARTING WEDNESDAY {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO-SERVICE-FURTHER-REDUCED-TO-SUPPORT-ESSENTIAL-TRIPS-ONLY.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> Weekend service was later suspended on March 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Weekend-service-3-28-3-29.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> Additional service and weekend service was restored on August 23, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=August 2020 Metrobus Service Changes, August 23 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/proposed-august-2020-metrobus-service-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref>

On September 5, 2021, service was increased to operate every 20 minutes daily between Friendship Heights and Fort Totten station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-september-2021.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref>

===Better Bus Redesign=== In 2022, WMATA launched its Better Bus Redesign project, which aimed to redesign the entire Metrobus Network and is the first full redesign of the agency's bus network in its history.

In April 2023, WMATA launched its Draft Visionary Network. As part of the drafts, WMATA proposed modifying the Military Road Line into two routes. The first proposed route was named Route DC200 and was to operate between Fort Totten station and Sibley Memorial Hospital, following the current Route E4 routing between Fort Totten station and the intersection of Military Road NW & 30th Street NW, then would follow the current Route M4 routing to Sibley Hospital via Military Road NW, Nebraska Avenue NW, Loughboro Road NW, MacArthur Boulevard NW, and Arizona Avenue NW. Another route proposed was Route DC203 and would operate between Fort Totten station and Friendship Heights station, operating closely to the current E4 via Riggs Road NE, Missouri Avenue NW, and Military Road NW. Service to Riggs Park was partially taken over by Route DC209, which is proposed to operate between West Hyattsville station and Ivy City via Riggs Park. Service along Western Avenue NW, McKinley Street NW, and 30th Place NW would be discontinued in this proposal<ref>{{cite web |title=Draft Visionary District of Columbia Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/DraftVisionaryRouteProfiles041723-EN_DC.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

During WMATA's Revised Draft Visionary Network, WMATA retained the DC200 and DC203 and renamed them to Routes C81 and C83 respectively. The C81 would remain the same from the draft proposal, but Route C83 would be changed to operate alongside the C81 and almost match the current E4, operating along Riggs Road NE, Missouri Avenue NW, Kennedy Street NW, 14th Street NW, Military Road NW, Connecticut Avenue NW, McKinley Street NW, and Western Avenue NW, partially restoring service on McKinley Street NW. Route C83 would only operate during the weekdays. Route DC209 was not included in the revised proposal, with Riggs Park service instead taken over by Route P32 between Fort Totten station and College Park–University of Maryland station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revised Visionary Network Route Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/BBNR_Phase-2-Comment-Response-Summary-2.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> All changes were then proposed during WMATA's 2025 Proposed Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposed 2025 Network District of Columbia Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/EN-DC-Route-Profiles-05-07-24.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Revised Visionary Network Route Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/EN-Visionary-Route-Frequency-Table-05-10-24.pdf}}</ref>

During the proposals, Route C83 was changed again to operate between Friendship Heights station and Barnaby Woods via Western Avenue NW, McKinley Street NW, Nevada Avenue NW, Nebraska Avenue NW, Utah Avenue NW, and Oregon Avenue NW, almost replicating the former Route E6. Route C81 was also changed to operate every 20 minutes daily, and have the route operate on South Dakota Avenue NE and Galloway Street NE before and after serving Fort Totten station. Service to Riggs Park was also instead served by the proposed Route C71, which operates between Fort Totten station and Washington Union Station via Riggs Park and Ivy City.<ref>{{cite web |title=District of Columbia Better Bus Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/Resource_2025-Route-Profiles_District-of-Columbia.pdf}}</ref>

On November 21, 2024, WMATA approved its Better Bus Redesign Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro Board of Directors approves Better Bus Network Redesign, new bus routes to start next summer |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-Board-of-Directors-approves-Better-Bus-Network-Redesign-new-bus-routes-to-start-next-summer.cfm |website=WMATA |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Beginning on June 29, 2025, Route E4 was split into two routes. The portion between Fort Totten station and the intersection of Military Road NW & 30th Place NW was renamed into the C81 and remained mostly the same, but was then combined with the former M4 and rerouted to continue straight along Military Road NW, then turn onto Nebraska Avenue NW and operate to Sibley Hospital (skipping Tenleytown–AU station) via Nebraska Avenue NW, Loughboro Road NW, MacArthur Boulevard NW, and Arizona Avenue NW. Service to Riggs Park was replaced by Route E2 (renamed to the C71), which partially reincarnates the former Route E3. The E4 portion between Friendship Heights station and Military Road NW via McKinley Street NW was renamed to the C83 and was rerouted to serve Barnaby Woods via Nevada Avenue NW and Nebraska Avenue NW, then operate in a loop via Utah Avenue NW, Western Avenue, Oregon Avenue NW, and back on Nevada Avenue NW, partially reincarnating the former Route E6 service.<ref>{{cite web |title=District of Columbia Route Profiles |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/DC_All_Profiles.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> C83 Weekend service was also added. C83 service to Knollwood Retirement Home was originally not serviced in the proposal, but began serving it sometime in Summer 2025.

==Incidents== * On January 30, 2015, a 14-year-old boy attacked an E4 bus driver with a stun gun striking the driver's right arm. The teen was arrested on April 21, 2015 and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.<ref>{{cite web |title=14-year-old charged with attacking Metro bus driver with stun gun |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/14-year-old-charged-with-attacking-metro-bus-driver-with-stun-gun |website=FOX 5 DC |accessdate=14 May 2020 |date=22 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=D.C. teen arrested for attacking Metro bus driver with stun gun |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/d-c-teen-arrested-for-attacking-metro-bus-driver-with-stun-gun-113406 |website=WJLA |accessdate=14 May 2020 |date=22 April 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}} {{clear}}

==External links== * [https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/E4_200823.pdf E4 Military Road–Crosstown Line] – wmata.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Road-Crosstown Line}} C81