Photo by fromcaliw/love
From the Mayor’s Office:
“The Bowser Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced temporary service adjustments to support most of the DC Circulator bus routes that will end on December 31, 2024.
“By consolidating more bus transit under the Metrobus brand, we can strengthen the District’s overall transit network, avoid duplicative services, and operate more efficiently,” said Acting DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum. “These changes will allow our partners at WMATA to better serve thousands of bus riders while using resources more cost-effectively.”
Recently, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the planned phase-down of DC Circulator service beginning October 1, 2024, with service ending December 31, 2024. In preparation, WMATA conducted a comprehensive review of its bus network and the proposed 2025 Better Bus Network redesign. DDOT and WMATA have identified ways to leverage Metrobus’s extensive network to ensure a seamless experience for DC Circulator customers, enhance service to key destinations, and provide additional capacity on routes that may experience crowding due to the shift of Circulator passengers to Metrobus. WMATA will use its best efforts to provide transitional service based on customer volume and key connections until the launch of the Better Bus Network in July 2025.
Key Elements of the Metrobus Service Proposal:
The first phase of adjustments will begin on October 1, 2024, with the elimination of the Rosslyn-Dupont route. The remaining modifications will start in December 2024 with the end of Circulator service. These interim route adjustments will continue through July 2025, when the Bus Network Redesign routes are implemented, bringing further improvements to the District’s transit riders.
The WMATA Board of Directors is expected to vote on the service agreement at its September 12 meeting, allowing DDOT and WMATA to begin final planning on the service adjustments.
The proposed adjustments will be implemented at a relatively low incremental cost, using WMATA’s existing fleet. The annual cost is estimated at approximately $10 million, significantly lower than the Circulator’s 2022 operating expense of $42 million. This proposal also allows the District to avoid more than $200 million in capital investments needed to maintain Circulator operations.
DDOT is also working with RATP Dev, WMATA, and other local transit agencies to support all DC Circulator employees during this transition. DDOT will continue to offer resources to ensure that contracted employees have multiple opportunities to find new jobs. DDOT will host a virtual public meeting later in September to present the final plans for the Circulator closure and WMATA bus service schedules.
DC Circulator riders who need assistance navigating alternative travel options are encouraged to visit wmata.com and use the Trip Planner feature. For current routes and DC Circulator updates, please visit dccirculator.com.”