New Routes in Adams Morgan-U Street & Capitol Riverfront-Nationals Park;
14 New Buses Being Added to Current Fleet
WASHINGTON, DC – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, along with Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation Gabe Klein, today joined DC transportation and business leaders to formally introduce two new routes of the rapidly expanding DC CIRCULATOR (www.dccirculator.com) bus service.
Since its inception in July 2005 the CIRCULATOR has been both an attractive and much needed transportation alternative for residents, workers and tourists navigating around downtown Washington, DC.
With the popular “red buses” gaining in ridership – a lofty 12 percent since 2007, and more than eight million riders overall – transit officials have determined the time is right to introduce CIRCULATOR service in two additional locales:
• Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro – McPherson Square Metro Route
• Union Station – Navy Yard Metro Route **
**Replaces N22 Metrobus service
The two new CIRCULATOR routes – along with complete service descriptions – can be viewed by visiting: www.dccirculator.com
The new routes will traverse the Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill and Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
“We are extremely proud to announce these new routes,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The CIRCULATOR is truly one of the nation’s most successful mass transit stories. Now, more of our residents, workers and visitors will be able to traverse our city in an inexpensive and efficient manner.”
CIRCULATOR riders will now be able to make new Metrorail connections at Woodley Park, Columbia Heights, and McPherson Square stations via the Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro – McPherson Square Metro route. New CIRCULATOR service also will open up Capitol Hill and Capitol Riverfront tourist destinations – to include the new Capitol Visitors Center – with the new Union Station – Navy Yard Metro route.
“The time is right to roll out these new routes,” said Metro Board Chairman and DC Council member Jim Graham (Ward 1). “The CIRCULATOR will prove to be a very efficient way of connecting residents, businesses and tourists alike between Woodley Park, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, U Street and the downtown business districts.”
Known for its convenient 10-minute headways, the CIRCULATOR remains “a buck a ride” with additional discounts for seniors and DC students (elementary and high school). More details can be found at www.dccirculator.com
“DDOT is excited to expand the CIRCULATOR in response to its growing popularity,” said Gabe Klein, Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). “With these two new routes we are increasing the CIRCULATOR service from a downtown-centric transit option to one that branches out into some of our city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.”
The CIRCULATOR currently operates on three fixed routes:
• Georgetown to Union Station
• Convention Center to SW Waterfront
• Smithsonian – National Gallery of Art (Weekends)
New Buses Arriving
14 new buses have been added to the District fleet. The new buses are similar to the 29 buses making up the original CIRCULATOR fleet albeit a few feet shorter allowing for flexible deployment based on ridership demand.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) owns and operates the CIRCULATOR. DC Surface Transit Inc. (DCST) oversees CIRCULATOR marketing. DCST is a non-profit comprised of the Downtown, Capitol Hill, Capitol Riverfront, Adams Morgan, Golden Triangle and Georgetown Business Improvement Districts; Destination DC; the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Authority; DDOT; and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC).
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