I–270 Express Line

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The I-270 Express Line was an express WMATA bus route (J7 and J9) between Bethesda station and Lakeforest Transit Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It ran only during weekday rush hours, with J7 trips about 25 minutes and J9 trips about 45 minutes.

Service began in 1997 and ended on September 29, 2017, because ridership was low and costs were high. The line was replaced by Ride On extRa Route 101, which runs between Medical Center and Lakeforest Transit Center (effective October 2, 2017). Ride On routes 55, 56, and 61 also offered alternative service along parts of the former route.

Fare increases contributed to fewer riders: express fare rose to $4.25 in June 2017. Ridership declined from about 97,900 in FY2015 to about 85,700 in FY2016 (a 13% drop). WMATA considered other I-270 services, but Ride On continued to provide alternatives, leading to the discontinuation of J7 and J9.