The Benning Road Line, designated Route X1, X3 is a weekday peak hour only bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Minnesota Avenue station of the Orange Line of the Washington Metro and Foggy Bottom–GWU station of the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines of the Washington Metro (X1) or Duke Ellington Bridge in Adams Morgan (X3).

Route X5 was designated as "Owl Trips" operating between Seat Pleasant, Maryland and Lafayette Square.

On June 25, 2000, route X3 was reincarnated to operate alongside the X1 between Minnesota Avenue station and McLean Gardens during the weekday peak-hours.

[5] In 2012, routes 96 and X3 were extended from McLean Gardens to Tenleytown–AU station adding additional service along Wisconsin Avenue NW from McLean Gardens due to a long-term detour route in 2012 to accommodate construction of Cathedral Commons.

[7][8] On June 26, 2016, route X3 was shortened from Tenleytown–AU station to Duke Ellington Bridge due to low ridership between the two points.

During WMATA's FY2021 budget, it was proposed to eliminate routes X1 and X3 completely due to low ridership.

[12][13][14][15] On March 16, 2020, all route X1 and X3 service was suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and WMATA switching to a supplemental schedule during the weekdays.

[16] The proposed elimination was brought back up on September 26, 2020 due to low federal funding.