Ivy City–Franklin Square Line

In the mid 1990s, route D4 was shortened to Washington Union Station with service to Sibley Memorial Hospital replaced by route D3, and D6. The line was also renamed to the Ivy City-Union Station Line. These changes were in order to simplify the line after a series of proposals.[3]

On December 27, 2009, route D4 was rerouted to serve Franklin Square/McPherson Square station instead of Washington Union Station terminating along 13th and I streets NW. Service to Union Station was replaced by route D6. Buses will operate along I Street to 14th street, then continue via 14th, K and 10th streets, New York and Massachusetts Avenues, 6th Street and K Street to North Capitol Street where it will resume its regular route.[4]

Originally, WMATA proposed to extend the D4 into Georgetown to serve Sibley Memorial Hospital instead of ending at Franklin Square.[5]

In 2012, WMATA proposed to extend route D4 to Fort Totten station and Riggs Park via 18th Street NE, South Dakota Avenue NE, Sargent Road, Eastern Avenue, Kennedy Street, Nicholson Street and Riggs Road. This was in order to replace the E2 which is proposed to be shorten to Fort Totten and fully replace routes E3 and E4, Provide a direct route from Riggs Park, South Dakota Avenue, and 18th Street to Downtown, serve the proposed future Walmart stors on Riggs Road and at Bladensburg Road & New York Avenue, and ridership on the Fenwick/New York/16th loop is minimal since the Hecht's Warehouse closed. The Ivy City loop along Fenwick Street, New York Avenue, and 16th Street NE would be eliminated.[6]

In 2015, WMATA proposed to extend route D4 to Kennedy Center in order to replace route 80 which was proposed to be shorten to Franklin Square. This would give D4 service to Farragut Square, Foggy Bottom, and the Watergate complex.[7]

On June 26, 2016, every other route D4 trip was extended to Dupont Circle station (20th & P Streets NW) serving both Dupont Circle and Farragut Square in order to partially replace route D3. The extension would only operate during the weekday peak-hours in the peak direction. This gives passengers weekday peak service to Farragut Square and Dupont Circle without having to transfer buses at Franklin Square.[8]

In 2019, WMATA proposed to eliminate route D4 service after 10:00 PM daily due to low ridership. There would be no alternative service however.[9][10]

The proposal was met with controversy with Ivy City residents due to service being lacking with service if the proposal goes through since the E2 was also proposed to end at 10:00 PM too. WMATA later backed out of the proposal due to major customer opposition.[11][12]