In 1933, the Capital Traction Co. (CT) and the Washington Railway & Electric Co. (WR&E) merged, forming the Capital Transit Co. And in 1936, the Capital Transit Co. (CTC) acquired the Washington Rapid Transit Co. (WRT), completing unification of the transit system. Also in 1936, the Capital Transit Co. adopted the basic route numbering system for Washington DC. Streetcar lines were numbered in groups of 10, proceeding clockwise around the city from west. The second digit represented a branch. Bus routes were identified with a letter, followed with a number digit representing a branch. For both streetcar and bus routes, even numbers for the last digit represented all day routes, odd numbers represented rush hour routes.
Most odd numbered rush hour routes were basically variations of regular all day routes, and their route histories are not included. Also not included are new routes created by WMATA, with a letter followed by two digits. Discontinued routes are in parentheses.
The first streetcar to bus conversion involved the independent East Washington Heights Traction Co. (EWHT), over what now is the Sousa bridge in southeast Washington.
As streetcars were replaced with buses, some routes retained the streetcar route numbers, while other routes received route designations beginning with letters. In 1956, Capital Transit was acquired by DC Transit System (DCTS). And in 1973, DC Transit and the three suburban bus companies were taken over by WMATA.
Certain routes serving Maryland were originally introduced by independent suburban operators, which by 1960 all became part of DC Transit System. These companies were Bison Lines, Montgomery Bus Lines (MBL), Suburban Bus & Cab (SB&C), and Washington Suburban Lines (WSL). Montgomery Bus Lines was always a subsidiary of Capital Transit, later DC Transit System.
16th St. was a major street which never had a streetcar route, and the Metropolitan Coach Co. originally introduced bus service on 16th St. on January 17, 1909. But Metropolitan Coach Co. ceased operations on August 13, 1915. And 16th St. was left without public transportation until the Washington Rapid Transit Co. began operations on March 1, 1921.
For DC routes where the introduction date for bus service is not available, the route was introduced during the period when the company listed was operating the buses. Capital Transit Co. (CTC) from 1933 to 1956, DC Transit System (DCTS) from 1956 to 1973, and WMATA after 1973.
In 1897, a fire at Capital Traction's cable car powerhouse resulted in the Pennsylvania and 14th St. routes returning to horse cars. All Capital Traction lines were electrified in 1898.
Certain routes were eventually discontinued, or consolidated into other routes, as noted. Several routes serving Montgomery County eventually became part of the Ride-On Bus System, formed in the 1970's.
Route Route Old Prior Horse Cable Elec. Buses New
Number Name Route Co. Cars Cars Street Route
No. Cars No.
(10) Kenilworth 10 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49 V8
(10) Benning Rd. 10 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49 X2
(10) H St. 10 WR&E 1871 1895 1899 5/ 1/49 X2
(10) Rosslyn 10 CT ---- ---- 1923 8/26/56 38
(12) Seat Pleasant 12 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49 U8
(20) Cabin John 20 WR&E ---- ---- 1895 1/ 3/60 Ride-On
30 Pennsylvania 30 CT 1862 1892 1898 1/ 3/60
31 Wisconsin 30 WR&E ---- ---- 1890 1/ 3/60
32 Shipley Terrace C2 CTC ---- ---- ----
34 Naylor Gardens C2 EWHT ---- ---- 1905 12/ 1/23
36 Hillcrest C6 CT ---- ---- ---- 12/23/24
38 Ballston 10 CT ---- ---- 1923 8/26/56
(40) East Capitol St. 40 WR&E 1872 ---- 1896 1/28/62 96
42 Mt. Pleasant 42 WR&E ---- ---- 1900 12/ 3/61
42 Connecticut (south) 42 WR&E 1873 ---- 1896 12/ 3/61
(42) F St./D St. 42 WR&E 1865 ---- 1896 12/ 3/61 D6
(50) 14th St. 50 CT 1862 1895 1898 1/28/62 Consol.
(52) 14th St.-U St.-11th St. 52 CTC ---- ---- 1936 1/28/62 Disc.
52 14th St.-Independence 52 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 2/ /69
54 14th St.-Pennsylvania 54 CTC ---- ---- 1936 1/28/62
(56) 14th St.-Summit Hill 56 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 6/14/70 52/54
(58) 14th St.-Takoma 58 CT ---- ---- 1910 4/ /36 K8
(60) 11th St. 60 WR&E 1875 ---- 1900 12/ 3/61 66
60 Upshur 74 WR&E ---- ---- 1893 1/ 3/60
60 Rock Creek Church H4 CTC ---- ---- ----
62 11th St.-Sherman K4 WRT ---- ---- ---- 1920's
62 Takoma J6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 4/ /36
64 11th St. 60 WR&E 1875 ---- 1900 12/ 3/61
64 New Hampshire K4 WRT ---- ---- ---- 2/ /22
70 7th St. 70 CT 1862 1890 1898 1/ 3/60
70 Georgia Av. 70 WR&E 1873 ---- 1890 1/ 3/60
(72) Georgia Av.-Takoma 72 WR&E ---- ---- 1892 1/ 3/60 52/54
(74) Soldiers Home 74 WR&E ---- ---- 1893 1/ 3/60 60
80 North Capitol St. 80 WR&E ---- ---- 1890 9/ 7/58
80 Rosslyn 10 CT ---- ---- 1923 8/26/56
82 College Park 82 WR&E ---- ---- 1897 9/ 7/58
(84) Branchville-Beltsville 84 WR&E ---- ---- 1902 7/31/49 Disc.
84 New Carrollton B4 CTC ---- ---- ----
86 Calverton G6 CTC ---- ---- ----
87 Laurel Express WMATA
(88) Cheverly B6 CTC ---- ---- ---- F8
(90) New Jersey Av. 90 CT ---- ---- 1908 1/28/62
90 U St. 92 CT ---- ---- 1892 1/28/62
90 Florida Av./8th St. 92 CT ---- ---- 1908 1/28/62
92 Good Hope 92 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/26/25
94 Stanton 94 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/26/25
96 East Capitol St. 40 WR&E 1872 ---- 1896 1/28/62
96 Woodley via 29th M6 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 12/13/22
(98) Woodley via Cleveland M8 CT ---- ---- ---- 11/ 1/27 Disc.
(98) U St.-Adams Morgan WMATA Disc.
Route Route Old Prior Horse Cable Elec. Buses New
Number Name Route Co. Cars Cars Street Route
No. Cars No.
A2 Anacostia-Congress Hts. A2 WR&E ---- ---- 1896 6/16/35
A4 Anacostia-Bellevue A4 CTC ---- ---- ---- 6/16/35
A4 Anacostia-Fort Drum A6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 6/16/35
A6 Anacostia-Livingston V8 CTC ---- ---- ----
A8 Anacostia-Livingston A8 CTC ---- ---- ----
B2 Bladensburg B2 WR&E ---- ---- 1910 4/22/23
(B4) East Riverdale B4 CTC ---- ---- ---- 84
(B6) Cheverly B6 CTC ---- ---- ---- F8
B8 Fort Lincoln WMATA
(C2) Naylor Gardens C2 EWHT ---- ---- 1905 12/ 1/23 32/34
(C4) Anacostia C4 CTC ---- ---- ---- B2
(C6) Hillcrest C6 CT ---- ---- ---- 12/23/24 36
(C8) Minnesota Av. C8 CT ---- ---- ---- 1920's V8
(C8) Blaine St. C8 CTC ---- ---- ---- U4
C2 Greenbelt J8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 5/18/64
C4 Twinbrook Y8 DCTS ---- ---- ----
C8 College Pk.-White Flint Z4 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1940
D2 Glover Park D2 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 3/ 1/25
D4 Ivy City D4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1920's
(D6) Loughboro Rd. D6 CTC ---- ---- ---- M4
D6 Sibley Hospital D4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 4/12/26
D6 F St./D St. 42 WR&E 1865 ---- 1896 12/ 3/61
D8 Hospital Center WMATA
(E2) Rhode Island E2 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29 G8
(E4) Lewisdale-Riggs Rd. E4 CTC ---- ---- ---- Disc.
(E6) Lewisdale-23rd Av. E6 DCTS ---- ---- ---- R3
E2 Military Rd. M2 CTC ---- ---- ----
E2 18th St.-Ivy City M2 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1948
E4 Riggs Park K8 CTC ---- ---- ----
E6 Chevy Chase WMATA
(F2) Michigan-Mt. Rainier F2 CTC ---- ---- ---- G8
(F4) NE 4th St. F4 WR&E ---- ---- 1888 1920's G8
(F4) Michigan-Avondale F4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29 R4
(F6) Sargent Rd. F6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 80
F2 Chillum Rd. B2 CTC ---- ---- ----
F4 Pr. Georges-Silver Spr. J4 WSL ---- ---- ---- 5/ /47
F6 Pr. Georges-Silver Spr. WMATA
F8 Langley Park G8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 4/ /60
G2 P St. G2 WR&E 1873 ---- 1896 6/16/35
G2 LeDroit Park G2 WR&E 1875 ---- 1900 1/ 7/35
(G4) Queens Chapel G4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29 R4
(G6) Hyattsville G6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 86
(G8) Langley Park G8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 4/ /60 F8
(G8) NE 4th St. F4 WR&E ---- ---- 1888 1920's
G8 Rhode Island E2 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29
H2 Crosstown H2 CTC ---- ---- ----
H2 Michigan Av. H2 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1920's
H4 Crosstown H6 CTC ---- ---- ----
H6 Brookland-Ft. Lincoln H2 CTC ---- ---- ----
H8 Park Rd. H4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 8/ 5/22
Route Route Old Prior Horse Cable Elec. Buses New
Number Name Route Co. Cars Cars Street Route
No. Cars No.
(J2) Kennedy St. J2 CT ---- ---- 1910 4/ /36 K8
J2 Silver Spring-Bethesda J4 WSL ---- ---- ---- 5/ /47
J2 Bethesda-Montgomery M. O8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 3/ /68
(J4) College Park-Silver Spr. J4 WSL ---- ---- ---- 5/ /47 F4
(J4) Silver Spring-Bethesda J4 WSL ---- ---- ---- 5/ /47 J2
J4 College Park-Bethesda WMATA
(J6) Takoma-Petworth J6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 4/ /36 62
(J6) Flower-Wayne T4 CT ---- ---- ---- 1927 Ride-On
(J8) University Blvd. J8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 5/18/64 C2
K2 Takoma-Fort Totten K8 CTC ---- ---- ----
(K4) New Hampshire-Chillum K4 WRT ---- ---- ---- 2/ /22 64
K6 New Hampshire-White Oak K6 CTC ---- ---- ----
(K8) Riggs Rd. K8 CTC ---- ---- ---- E4/K2
(K8) 3rd St.-Takoma J2 CT ---- ---- 1910 4/ /36 Disc.
L2 Connecticut-18th St. L2 CT ---- ---- 1892 9/16/35
(L4) Connecticut L4 CT ---- ---- ---- 9/15/25
(L6) Connecticut-Garrett Pk. L6 CT ---- ---- 1895 9/16/35 Ride-On
(L6) Connecticut-Rollingwood L6 SB&C ---- ---- ---- Ride-On
L8 Connecticut-Aspen Hill L8 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1942
(L8) Rock Creek Forest L8 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1946 Ride-On
(M2) Military Rd. M2 CTC ---- ---- ---- E2
(M2) Capitol Hill-4th St. M2 WR&E 1872 ---- 1895 1930's Consol.
(M2) Southern Av. WMATA
M4 Nebraska Av. M4 CTC ---- ---- ----
M4 Loughboro Rd. D6 CTC ---- ---- ----
(M6) Woodley via 29th M6 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 12/13/22 92
(M8) Woodley via Cleveland M8 CT ---- ---- ---- 11/ 1/27 Disc.
M6 Fairfax Village WMATA
(M8) Congress Heights WMATA
N2 Massachusetts-New Mex. N4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 5/13/25
N4 Massachusetts N2 WR&E ---- ---- 1908 5/13/25
(N4) Massachusetts-Glen Echo N4 CTC ---- ---- ---- N7
N6 Massachusetts WMATA
(N8) Mass.-Montgomery N8 Bison ---- ---- ---- 1946 N7
(N8) Van Ness-Wesley Heights H2 CTC ---- ---- ----
(O2) River Rd. O2 Bison ---- ---- ---- 1943 T2
(O4) Old Georgetown Rd. O4 MBL ---- ---- ---- Ride-On
(O6) Rockville Pike O6 MBL ---- ---- ---- Ride-On
(O8) Bethesda-Montgomery M. O8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 3/ /68 J2
Route Route Old Prior Horse Cable Elec. Buses New
Number Name Route Co. Cars Cars Street Route
No. Cars No.
(P2) M St.-Anacostia WMATA
P6 Virginia Av.-Anacostia A6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 6/16/35
P6 R St.-Rhode Island 82 WR&E ---- ---- 1897 9/ 7/58
Q2 Veirs Mill Road Y8 WSL ---- ---- ---- 1940's
(Q8) Silv. Sp.-Montgomery M. Q8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 6/ /68 Ride-On
R2 Riggs Rd. K8 CTC ---- ---- ----
(R4) Potomac Park R4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 2/19/23 Disc.
R4 Queens Chapel Rd. G4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29
R4 Michigan Av. F4 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/ 1/29
(R6) West End R6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 80
S2 16th St.-Alaska S2 WRT ---- ---- ---- 1926
S4 16th St. S4 WRT ---- ---- ---- 3/ 1/21
(T2) Takoma-Old Bladensburg T2 CT ---- ---- 1897 1927 Ride-On
(T4) Takoma-Silver Spring T4 CT ---- ---- ---- 1927 Ride-On
T2 River Rd. O2 Bison ---- ---- ---- 1943
(T4) Wisconsin-Alta Vista T8 CTC ---- ---- ---- J2
(T6) Wisconsin-Naval Hosp. T6 WR&E ---- ---- 1890 8/ 4/35 Ride-On
(T8) Wisconsin-Montgomery M. T8 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 3/ /68 J2
(U2) Benning-Kenilworth 10 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49 V8
U2 Minnesota Av. WMATA
U4 Benning-Sheriff U4 CTC ---- ---- ---- 5/ 1/49
U4 Blaine St. C8 CTC ---- ---- ----
U6 Mayfair X2 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 9/11/67
U6 Marshall Heights U6 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 3/14/66
U8 Benning-Benning Heights U8 CTC ---- ---- ---- 5/ 1/49
(V2) 4th St. V2 WR&E 1872 ---- 1895 1930's M2
(V4) S. Washington-Ridge Rd. C8 CTC ---- ---- ---- Consol.
V2 Capitol Hts.-Anacostia 12 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49
V4 Capitol Hts.-Navy Yard 12 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49
(V8) Wheeler Rd. V8 CTC ---- ---- ---- A6
V8 M St. V6 CT ---- ---- ---- 8/21/23
V8 Minnesota Av. C8 CT ---- ---- ---- 1920's
V8 Kenilworth 10 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49
W2 SE Hospital-Anacostia WMATA
W4 Deanwood-Alabama Av. W4 CT ---- ---- ---- 12/23/24
W6 Garfield (clockwise) W6 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/26/25
W8 Garfield (c-clockwise) W8 WR&E ---- ---- ---- 1/26/25
X2 H St. 10 WR&E 1871 1895 1899 5/ 1/49
X2 Benning Rd. 10 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49
(X2) Mayfair X2 DCTS ---- ---- ---- 9/11/67 U6
(X4) Benning-Benning Heights U8 WR&E ---- ---- 1898 5/ 1/49 U8
(X6) National Arboretum WMATA
X8 Maryland Av. X5 DCTS ---- ---- ----
(Y2) Seminary Rd. Y2 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1946 Ride-On
(Y4) Dexter Av. Y4 STC ---- ---- ---- 7/ 8/58 Ride-On
(Y6) Silver Spring-Glenmont Y6 WSL ---- ---- ---- 1940's Ride-On
(Y8) Silver Spring-Rockville Y8 WSL ---- ---- ---- 1940's Q2
Y8 Georgia Av.-Forest Glen Z2 WR&E ---- ---- 1895 12/15/24
Y8 Georgia Av.-Olney Z3 WSL ---- ---- ---- 1946
(Z2) Silver Spring-Wheaton Z2 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1940 Disc.
Z2 Colesville Rd.-Olney Z1 STC ---- ---- ---- 6/ /56
(Z4) Silver Spring-Glenmont Z4 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1940 C8
(Z6) Dale Dr.-Franklin Av. Z6 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1940 Ride-On
(Z8) Sligo Av. Z8 CTC ---- ---- ---- 1940 Ride-On
(Z8) Old Bladensburg Rd. T2 CT ---- ---- 1897 1927 Ride-On
Z6 Tanglewood-Westfarm WMATA
Z8 Colesville Rd.-Fairland WMATA
Route Route Old Prior Horse Cable Elec. Buses New
Number Name Route Co. Cars Cars Street Route
No. Cars No.