Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and its partners are pleased to announce that beginning Monday, March 26, 2007, the DC Circulator bus will extend its East/West route to take on the Georgetown Metro Connection “Blue Bus” Foggy Bottom line.
The Georgetown Metro Connection, fondly referred to as the “Blue Bus,” was launched five years ago by the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID), to link Georgetown to the three closest Metro stations—Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle and Rosslyn. It was a precursor to the DC Circulator bus, demonstrating the high demand for efficient neighborhood-based surface transportation.
In an effort to provide the best and most efficient means of bus transportation in and around Georgetown, DDOT—in partnership with the Georgetown BID—will conduct a six month trial to extend the Circulator’s route. The demonstration project will run through September 30, 2007, and if deemed successful will become an ongoing route. The Georgetown BID will continue to run its Blue Bus on the long-established Roslyn to Dupont Circle route.
“Our goal at DDOT is to continue to build a ‘multi-modal’ transportation network in the District, and expanding the Circulator bus is a great step in that direction,” said Emeka Moneme, DDOT Director.
To accommodate all commuters on the DC Circulator’s East/West route, more buses will be put into service, running every 10 minutes during peak hours—7 am to 9 pm—and offering a late night service to accommodate commuters’ needs. The late bus will run until midnight weekdays and to 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights between Georgetown and the intersection of 17th and K Streets.
“Connecting neighborhoods to downtown with Circulator service is a step in the right direction for convenient, frequent, affordable surface transit in DC,” said Rich Bradley, president of DC Surface Transit Inc.
Ginger Laytham, Chair of the Georgetown BID’s Transportation Committee and a board member of DC Surface Transit Inc. said: “We have always seen the Georgetown BID’s ‘Blue Bus’ as a demonstration project, and are excited to be working with the Circulator to create efficient and rational extension of the Circulator. In the end this provides visitors, workers and residents with direct and easy access between Georgetown and the Metro.”
William A. Hanbury, president & CEO of the Washington Convention and Tourism Corp. (WCTC) said: “The Circulator’s new service enhances the Washington, DC, visitor experience, making it easier and more affordable to travel from the famous sites on the National Mall to the vibrant neighborhoods where Washingtonians work, eat, shop and play.”
The DC Circulator’s East/West service will continue to operate seven days a week on an alternate course, in order to bypass construction on the bridge over the C&O Canal on Wisconsin Avenue, and provide riders with faster, more efficient and enjoyable service. The new Circulator route will continue down K Street to Union Station until 9 pm, providing access to the Orange and Blue lines at Farragut West, the Red line at Farragut North and the Green line at the Convention Center.
Sunday through Thursday service will operate until midnight. Friday and Saturday service will run until 2 am. Details on the route and specific stops will be announced prior to March 26, 2007.