Downtown Circulator is almost here

Photo by Steve Pinkus.

The Downtown Circulator, a distinctively branded intra-city bus transportation system, has been discussed for over a decade. As the Downtown BID section on transit says:

"About 10 years ago, the Downtown Circulator Planning Group, consisting of DDOT, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the Downtown BID, and WMATA, hatched an idea for a new transit system. With an implementation plan completed and resources mobilized, that idea is ready for action.

The Circulator will be for and about Downtown, promoting Washington as a destination with all the amenities of a world class capital. It will provide riders with high quality transportation and a positive experience traveling to city museums, entertainment venues, memorials, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, offices and residences. The Circulator is designed to serve a highly mobile downtown population from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with easy on and off service.

Two studies suggest a high demand for Circulator service. Multisystems of Cambridge, Massachusetts, conducted a study in July 2003 that estimated potential Circulator passengers at 250,000 and more than 44,000 daily trips on four planned routes. Recently, a National Park Service survey found that 79% of visitors to the National Mall would use a low-cost, transportation service to travel to and between Washington attractions if such as service were available.

Planners are exploring a range of concepts that will distinguish the Circulator from other surface public transportation, including inexpensive fares, frequent service, a distinctive vehicle design, alternative fare payment options and varied ingress and egress options. The Circulator will provide the only non-stop public transit link between Union Station to Georgetown, connecting the Mall with Downtown. It is also hoped that it will provide indirect benefits such as reducing the number of cars entering the city.

The Circulator service will roll out in two phases. Phase I will include the K Street route linking Union Station to Georgetown via the new Convention Center, and the North/South route linking the new Convention Center with the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall and the waterfront via 9th and 7th Streets. Phase I should be operational in mid-2005. Phase II, projected to roll out in early 2008, will include two or three routes: one linking Union Station, the Capitol, the Mall and the White House via F Street in the downtown business district; another serving all the major federal monuments west of 15th Street; and possibly a third linking Dupont Circle and Rosslyn, Virginia, via Georgetown.

The Downtown Circulator will reflect the excellence of place and experience marking the entire Downtown's rebirth and soon will become an asset to everyone in the community. "
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Buses have arrived and they are being tested, and promoted, such as at the opening game of the Washington Nationals. More photos to come.