Neighborhood dispute forces Metro to pull P12 bus stops in Prince George’s
Dispute with Oxon Hill apartment complex leads to Metrobus route changes
Metro will no longer service eight bus stops along the P12 route in Prince George’s County starting Sunday, January 12. The decision follows a cease-and-desist letter from the owner of the Forest Hill Apartments Complex. FOX 5's Julie Donaldson has the story.
Metro will no longer service eight bus stops along the P12 route in Prince George’s County starting Sunday, January 12.
The decision follows a cease-and-desist letter from the owner of the Forest Hill Apartments Complex.
The four affected stops are located within the neighborhood, along Wheeler Hills Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland. After nearly 50 years, the property owner has demanded that Metro cease using the private roads, claiming that the weight of the buses is causing significant damage to the asphalt.
The letter also states that multiple requests for Metro to address the issue or contribute to repairs have been ignored.
The closure will impact around 150 daily customers, including residents of Forest Hill Apartments and Homes at Oxon Hill Senior Apartments, many of whom rely on the bus to commute to work and access essential services.
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Metro has announced that passengers can still catch the P12 bus at nearby stops, including at Southern Avenue and United Medical Center, Southern Avenue and 13th Street, and Wheeler Road and Vermillion Avenue.
The Forest Hill Apartments initially agreed to the bus stops as they provided convenience for residents, but the ongoing damage to the property has prompted the cease-and-desist request.
In their letter, the property owners emphasized that they hope to avoid litigation but are prepared to take legal action if necessary.
The upcoming changes come as a blow to many seniors and commuters in the area.
"Taking the buses, I think, will hurt the community," said local resident Mike Sims. "A lot of people rely on it to get to Southern Avenue Metro and other places to get to work."
"We see a lot of older folks using it, and it’s going to be hard for them," added Ketondre Tilthman.
FOX 5 reached out to WMATA for a response. The transit agency confirmed the changes and directed customers to their website for more information.
FOX 5's Julie Donaldson contributed to this report.