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

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and its partners who operate the DC Circulator announced today that the Circulator transported its 4 millionth rider this week, marking a significant milestone for the increasingly popular two-year-old transit service.

“I’m thrilled to share this exciting news,” said Emeka Moneme, Director of DDOT. “Every day, people who live in the District, work here or visit the nation’s capital are making a great decision: getting out of a car and onto the Circulator. With gas prices high and the desire to take public transit increasing, we welcome and thank the millions of riders using this great service.”

Ridership figures show the Circulator is increasingly popular. The month of July 2006 saw 202,000 riders versus the month of July 2007, which saw 246,000 total riders.

DDOT today also reported the results of a May 2007 Circulator customer survey in which riders were asked a series of questions regarding the purpose of their trip, the frequency with which they use the service and overall satisfaction.

More than 90 percent indicated they would recommend the DC Circulator to others, while 85 percent agreed the Circulator service makes the District of Columbia “experience” more enjoyable.

“This is a significant accomplishment in just two years,” said Marcel Acosta, deputy executive director, National Capital Planning Commission. “NCPC first envisioned this unique transit service in our 1997 Legacy Plan, and we are proud to see it reach such a milestone. We look forward to the Circulator’s continued growth and development in the years ahead.”

Leona Agouridis, Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, said: “Circulator customers appreciate the convenience, attractiveness, and value of this service.”

Surveys were distributed on all DC Circulator routes during all hours of service. Of the 1,071 surveys completed, 60.5 percent came from residents of the District of Columbia, 15 percent resided in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs and 24 percent resided outside the Washington metropolitan area.

For District residents, the Circulator is becoming an integral part of their transportation support network. Nearly 38 percent of District resident Circulator riders rely on the service for daily transportation, and 26 percent use the service several times a week. The Circulator is part of the car-free lifestyle reported by 62.7 percent of DC resident customers.

Riders use the service for a variety of personal and professional reasons. Responses were evenly distributed between three primary trip purpose categories: shopping and dining out, recreation and culture and commuting.

Established in July 2005, the DC Circulator is the product of a unique public/private partnership among DDOT, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, DC Surface Transit, Inc., along with other groups including the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation and the Downtown BID.

For more information, please visit www.dccirculator.com.