Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and its partners that operate the DC Circulator bus announced today that on Friday, December 15, free ride passes for the DC Circulator will be distributed outside three downtown Metrorail stations during the morning rush hour.

The free passes—each good for one ride, with an expiration date of January 31, 2007—come with a holiday shopping guide to events in greater downtown accessible by the Circulator. The passes will be distributed between 7:30 am and 9:30 am at the L’Enfant Plaza, Union Station and Gallery Place (7th and H Streets, NW) Metrorail stations.

“The surge in downtown retail shopping is increasing the demand for travel in greater downtown during the holiday season,” said Michelle L. Pourciau, Director of DDOT. “Our goal is to be proactive in managing traffic by encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy seasonal offerings downtown by using public transit like the Circulator. Relieving congestion downtown is all about creating transit choices.”

The free passes are aimed at helping residents and visitors make the connection between Circulator service and holiday activities in the District’s downtown. The Downtown, Georgetown, and Golden Triangle Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) along with the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation (WCTC) are participating in marketing the Circulator as a stress-free transportation option for the busy holiday season.

“We want to increase the joy factor during the holidays in downtown,” said Rich Bradley, Executive Director of the Downtown BID, sponsors of the Downtown Holiday Market taking place until December 22 in front of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. “The Circulator is frequent, comfortable, and free when downtown patrons use the holiday trip pass.”

The Circulator—which costs $1 per ride—operates on a Georgetown/Union Station route and a Shaw/Convention Center/SW Waterfront route from 7 am to 9 pm, daily. The Smithsonian/National Gallery of Art loop operates from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sundays only until March 23, 2007.

For more information on the Circulator and all downtown travel options, visit www.goDCgo.com or call (202) 962-1423.