Bad news for residents and commuters of the DMV! The nation’s capital is bracing for a significant shift in its public transportation landscape as the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announces the phased elimination of the DC Circulator service. This decision, part of the District’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Financial Plan, will not only alter daily commutes but also impact hundreds of workers and underserved communities.
The Circulator, established in 2005 to offer affordable $1 rides primarily for tourists, has become an integral part of DC’s transit ecosystem over its 18-year run. However, according to Sharon Kershbaum, acting director of DDOT, ridership has plummeted by 65%, and the service would require over $100 million to continue operations—a cost deemed unsustainable in the current budget climate.
These changes are poised to have far-reaching consequences, particularly for workers in the service industry who rely on late-night transportation and for residents in underserved areas who depend on the Circulator for essential trips. Who might be most affected though, is those that keep the Circulator running.
More than 200 drivers, mechanics, and supervisors received notice of permanent layoffs starting September 30. Thomas Davis, a DC Circulator driver, voiced his concerns to WUSA-9, “How am I going to support my family and my everyday living knowing the job I love to do is coming to an end? Finding a new job is not that easy.”
RATP DEV USA, the company operating the Circulator, clarified that employees have received WARN notices rather than immediate pink slips, indicating that the Circulator will cease operations after December 31, 2024. The company encouraged all DC Circulator employees to apply for positions within the Metro system through the standard application process.
Residents Will Struggle
Beyond employment, the Circulator’s closure will significantly affect community access to essential services. In Ward 8, for instance, residents rely on the Circulator to reach the area’s only grocery store, Giant on Alabama Avenue SE. The elimination of this service may exacerbate food access issues in an area already lacking in amenities and resources.
Annette Goode, a local resident, said “I think it’s a bad time to be laying off a lot of people and shutting down the Circulator. It’s convenient for people and gets them to work on time and back home on time. I hope and pray they come up with some other decision.”
The Circulator also plays a crucial role in serving tourists and residents with disabilities. The circulator is the only bus that runs the route of the National Mall, so many tourists or residents who need to get downtown will be left without transportation. Whether you are a tourist who wishes to see the monument, or a resident trying to get to the grocery store, no circulator makes it even more difficult for those with disabilities to get around.
While DDOT is working with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to mitigate the impact, concerns remain about the adequacy of alternative options. For example, while WMATA’s W8 bus serves some areas previously covered by the Circulator, it often requires transfers and may not provide the same level of accessibility or convenience.
As the December 31 deadline approaches, affected workers, residents, and city officials will need to navigate the challenges posed by this transition. The coming months will be crucial in determining how Washington, DC, addresses the transportation gap left by the Circulator’s departure and supports those most impacted by its closure.
Circulator Phase-Out
The shutdown process is set to begin on October 1, 2024, with a complete cessation of services scheduled for December 31, 2024. The phase-out will occur in stages, with several significant changes taking effect from the outset. These are the changes made effective on October 1, 2024:
1. The Rosslyn-Dupont Circle route will be terminated.
2. Woodley Park-Adams Morgan (WP-AM), Georgetown-Union Station (GT-US), Congress Heights-Union Station (CH-US), and Eastern Market – L’Enfant Plaza (EM-LP) routes will end service at 9 p.m. daily. These routes usually run until midnight.
3. Remaining routes will see reduced frequency, with buses arriving every 20 minutes instead of the current 10-minute intervals.
4. The National Mall route will continue to operate until 7 p.m. daily.
