“By Order of the Council, DC Circulator will Reinstate $1 Fare effective October 1st.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From DDOT:

“Today, by order of the Council, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that the fares on the DC Circulator will be reinstated effective October 1, 2019.

In February 2019, Mayor Bowser announced all DC Circulator rides were free for the month as a part of her #FairShotFebruary initiative. After positive feedback from District residents and increased ridership, the Mayor announced plans to continue free rides indefinitely.

The Mayor’s FY 2020 budget proposal set aside $3.1 million in funding for free Circulator service. After deliberation, the Council rejected the zero-fare policy funding, requiring the DDOT to reinstate the one-dollar fare policy on October 1, the beginning of FY 2020.

“The DC Circulator is a fantastic option for residents and visitors to get around the District,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “Our focus is to continue to provide safe and affordable service to activity centers in each of the District’s four quadrants.”

Riders may pay using any current SmarTrip® card, or cash/coins with exact change. The base fare is $1; DC Circulator offers reduced fares for seniors and mobility impaired individuals (50 cents). Children under five years of age are free with a paying adult rider. DC students riding the DC Circulator should use their Kids Ride Free SmarTrip Card.”