Author Archive

Extended Service for Nationals World Series Games

Posted by tiera.harris

We’re Showing our Natitude in a Big Way

The Washington Nationals are in 2019 World Series and we are taking our excitement all around town. Be on the lookout for our Nats Spirit Bus that rolls out Friday, Oct 25, just in time for the Game Three – the first World Series home game in DC since the 1930s!

We’re all about our home-grown sports teams and look forward to transporting Nationals fans to and from World Series games.

Our Eastern Market – L’Enfant Plaza Route (EMLP) provides direct access to Nationals Stadium. Rides are only $1 per trip, and service on this route will be extended until 1 a.m. for each home game during the series.

If you’re just as excited as us for this Bus to the Ballpark – World Series Edition, let us know on Twitter or Instagram with #SlideHome

DC Circulator Fares to Be Reinstated Effective October 1 

Posted by tiera.harris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts

(Washington, DC) – 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.

For more information about the DC Circulator, please visit dccirculator.com

Follow us on Twitter for transportation-related updates and more; like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Visit the website at ddot.dc.gov. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District.

DC Circulator Weekend Bus Maintenance – Friday, June 14, 2019

Posted by tiera.harris

Starting Friday, June 14 and over the weekend, we are undergoing a significant maintenance audit. As a part of these activities, we have removed buses from service to complete suggested maintenance. This will cause delays on many routes. DDOT is working diligently with the technicians to quickly resolve this matter. DC Circulator riders should expect significant delays throughout the weekend on the DuPont Circle – Rosslyn,  Congress Heights – Union Station, and the L’Enfant Plaza – Eastern Market routes.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause as we continue our commitment to providing safe and quality transportation to District residents.

For the most up-to-date information, please follow us on Twitter @dccirculator.

Prepare for the Metro Shutdown

Posted by tiera.harris

Dear Customers,

Prepare for Metro’s Summer Platform Closures!

Beginning on Saturday, May 25, 2019 through Sunday, September 8, 2019 the Blue and Yellow line metro stations south of the Ronald Regan National Airport will be shut down due to major platform reconstructions and station renovations.

Here’s what you need to know about the Metro Shutdown

  • Metro plans to close and rebuild platforms at Braddock Rd. Station, King St. Station, Eisenhower Ave. Station, Huntington Station, Franconia-Springfield Station, and Van Dorn Station.
  • Metro will be providing free shuttle buses between stations during all Metrorail operating hours.
  • Parking will be open to the public at Franconia-Springfield and Huntington Metro Stations. Commuters can park in the Park & Ride lot and the Kiss & Ride lot at both stations.

The DC Circulator Dupont Circle – Georgetown – Rosslyn route is a transit alternative for commuters traveling to and from the District. Riders can board the DC Circulator for FREE at the Rosslyn Metro Station and enjoy a comfortable ride to DuPont Circle. Buses run every ten minutes to alleviate traffic and decrease wait times.

For more information on navigating the Summer Metro Shutdown check out goDCgo’s toolkit for local riders.

Platform Improvement Toolkit for Riders

Thank you,

DC Circulator Team

Weekend Bus Maintenance

Posted by tiera.harris

Out of an abundance of caution, DDOT has temporarily removed 12 DC Circulator buses from service to address a maintenance issue. DDOT is working with the manufacturer to quickly resolve the problem. Passengers will experience extended delays on two routes, Eastern Market-L’Enfant Plaza and the National Mall route. The buses are expected to be back in service on Monday.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes as we continue to put safety and quality first.

Win Big for Get On Board Day

Posted by tiera.harris

On Thursday, April 25, 2019, the DC Circulator joins hundreds of public transit providers, experts, and enthusiasts on Get on Board for Public Transit Day. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Get on Board Day is a national event aimed to bring awareness to the many economic, social, cultural, environmental, and safety benefits public transit brings to American communities.

Washington D.C. has consistently ranked among the top 10 major cities in the U.S. for public transportation. Its public transit network provides more than 300 million trips per year and approximately 31% of all commutes in The District are via public transportation.

We are proud to know our six route bus system contributes its own benefits to our city such as:

  • Improved air quality with the largest fleet of zero-emission, 100% electric buses on the east coast.
  • Greater personal savings with the only FREE major public transportation option in the city.
  • Economic stimulation by connecting residents and visitors directly to local hot spots and activity centers for retail, tourism, and employment.

Join the Get on Board Day movement. Visit getonboardday.org/ to sign the petition and share your public transportation story.

Ride, Play & Win for Get on Board Day

Put your transit knowledge to the test! The more you know about public transportation in your area, the more rewarding it can be. Join us on Thursday, April 25 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on randomly selected buses where riders will get the chance to answer fun transit trivia questions and win awesome prizes.

How To Play

When we board the bus we’ll ask for volunteers to answer up to three transit trivia questions. Answer all the questions correctly and get the opportunity to choose from several cool prizes. You’ll get a voucher for your prize, with instructions on how to redeem online.

Available Prizes Include:

  • $50 SmarTrip™ card
  • 1-year annual Capital Bikeshare membership
  • Two tickets to a Washington Mystics game
  • Tickets to a Washington Nationals game
  • Tickets to a D.C. United game
  • Smithsonian’s National Zoo premier membership for two

Follow us on Twitter to get prepared. We’ll be sharing fun transportation facts that could help you with the game.

Charge Up With Flower Power

Posted by tiera.harris

The #BlossomBus is Back!

Charge up with flower power
as a DC Circulator electric bus turns pink.

Once a year we release a specially wrapped pink bus into our fleet of 72 vehicles, in celebration of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. What makes the bus so special? Well, it’s the only bus in DC that is completely pink and adorned with flowers, and not to mention, this year’s bus features hand-crafted artwork by local middle school students. Consider the #BlossomBus a spring-themed art gallery on wheels, serving as a reminder that the DC Circulator is your ONLY public transportation option directly to the Cherry Blossoms.

Winter Wonder Bus is Back

Posted by tiera.harris

The 2nd Annual Winter Wonder Bus returned on Friday, November 23.

For the second year we’ve captured the spirit of winter in Washington both inside and outside our 40-foot, festively decorated, DC Circulator bus – this time with an animal twist.

DDOT Welcomes Spring with the Return of #BlossomBus, Extended Hours

Posted by tiera.harris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Terry Owens — (202) 763-8635, terry.owens@dc.gov
Lauren Stephens — (202) 465-6112, lauren.stephens@dc.gov

(Washington, DC) – Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the fourth annual #BlossomBus will begin service on the National Mall route on Sunday, March 17.

The 2019 #BlossomBus is 100 percent electric and free for all riders through March 31, as part of Mayor Bowser’s #FairShot campaign. Through April 12, the #BlossomBus will travel the National Mall (NM) Route on weekends, and rotate through the remaining DC Circulator routes on weekdays.

“This year’s #BlossomBus furthers Mayor Bowser’s vision to prioritize sustainable, accessible transportation in the District,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “The DC Circulator is a great way for our residents and the 1.5 million visitors to experience the beauty of the cherry blossoms each Spring and explore the District .”

Beginning March 17, the DC Circulator’s National Mall (NM) Route will transition to summer hours to increase capacity for the residents and visitors participating in the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the peak summer travel season. During the extended hours, the National Mall Route will run between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekends.

The 2019 #BlossomBus theme is “Inspiration Blossoms Here” and features artwork from students from across the District in grades four through six, who participated in an art and persuasive writing contest sponsored by the DC Circulator. The submissions aim to inspire school aged children around the world to visit the District’s thriving arts, culture, and historical attractions.

The #BlossomBus will be featured at the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 13, and the fifth annual Anacostia River Festival on Sunday, April 14 in Anacostia Park. For the official #BlossomBus schedule, please click here.

###

The mission of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is to enhance the quality of life for District residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods, and information move efficiently and safely with minimal adverse impact on residents and the environment.

Follow us on Twitter for transportation-related updates and more; like us on Facebook and visit the website at www.ddot.dc.gov. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District.