Circulator Bus Service: Exploring Dc's Free Ride

is dc circulator bus free

The DC Circulator is a bus system in Washington, D.C., that began operating in 2005. The service is a partnership between the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and DC Surface Transit, Inc. The Circulator buses run on fixed routes and schedules, connecting the city's main attractions and popular neighbourhoods. While the standard fare is $1 per ride, there have been instances of free rides, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic and through promotional periods. The Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2022 also unanimously passed a vote to make all buses in the District free for residents and visitors by summer 2023.

Characteristics Values
Fare $1 per ride
Senior Citizen Fare $0.50 per ride
Child Fare Free for children under 5 with a paying adult rider
Student Fare Free for DC students with a Kids Ride Free SmarTrip® Card
SmarTrip® Card $17.50 for a 7-day WMATA regional bus pass
Cash Coins and dollar bills accepted in exact change only
Free Periods January 2019–October 2019; March 2020–September 2021; January 2023–February 2023
Schedule Varies by route, with some routes operating 24 hours a day
Routes 6
Service Area Washington, DC
Operator RATP Dev

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DC Circulator buses were free between February 2019 and October 2019

The Mayor's FY 2020 budget proposal included $3.1 million in funding for free Circulator service. However, the Council rejected the zero-fare policy funding, citing concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative in benefiting the District's lowest-income residents. As a result, the $1 fare was reinstated on October 1, 2019, the beginning of the fiscal year.

During the period of free rides, the DC Circulator experienced increased ridership. This positive outcome aligned with one of the goals of the #FairShotFebruary initiative, which was to promote the use of convenient and accessible public transportation in Washington, D.C. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) also played a role in keeping the Circulator free through September 30, 2021, to encourage more riders as the District's economy reopened.

The DC Circulator has a history of fare-free periods, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some city officials have considered reinstating free rides. However, the service is currently not free, and as of July 2024, the DDOT has announced plans to reduce services and eventually discontinue the Circulator by the end of the year due to decreasing ridership and transportation budget cuts.

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The $1 fare was reinstated in October 2021

The DC Circulator is a bus system in Washington, D.C., that operates on a predictable fixed route and schedule. The service, which began in 2005, has grown substantially, supplementing Metro's bus and rail services and connecting many of D.C.'s neighbourhoods and activity centres. The standard fare for the DC Circulator bus service was $1 per ride, with discounted fares for seniors and disabled passengers. SmarTrip Cards also allowed for free transfers from Metrobus or between Circulator buses for up to two hours.

In February 2019, DC Circulator rides were made free under Mayor Bowser's Fair Shot initiative. However, the $1 fare was reinstated in October 2019 due to increased ridership. The free rides were also a part of the Mayor's Fiscal Year 2022 Fair Shot Budget proposal, where she invested $6.5 million to keep the DC Circulator free and support ongoing investments in the bus system. The DC Circulator remained free until September 30, 2021, with the emergency rulemaking effective immediately upon its publication in the DC Register.

However, despite the Mayor's efforts, the DC Council voted to eliminate free rides, and the $1 fare was reinstated on October 1, 2021. The DC Circulator continues to operate as a paid service, with the $1 fare still in effect as of 2024. The service has seen a decrease in ridership since its peak in 2011, and there are plans to reduce services and eventually discontinue the DC Circulator by the end of 2024 due to decreasing ridership and transportation budget cuts.

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DC Circulator buses are $1 per trip

The DC Circulator is a bus system in Washington, D.C., that operates on a predictable fixed route and schedule. It runs between the city's main attractions and some of the more popular neighbourhoods for visitors. The fare for a ride on the DC Circulator bus is $1.00 per trip, with discounted fares for certain passengers. Seniors aged 65 and older, for example, pay a discounted fare of $0.50 per trip. Children under 5 years old can ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult rider.

The DC Circulator buses are similar to shuttle buses and run between the city's most popular destinations and neighbourhoods. The service began in 2005 with two routes and has since expanded to cover more areas. The buses run six routes through downtown D.C. and into Rosslyn, operating roughly every 10 minutes. The routes include the National Mall route, the Dupont Circle-Georgetown-Rosslyn route, the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route, and the Eastern Market-L'Enfant Plaza route, among others.

The $1 fare for the DC Circulator bus is relatively inexpensive compared to other bus services. The service is operated by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation in partnership with RATP Dev. The DC Circulator is designed to supplement the Metrorail and Metrobus services in Washington, D.C., and has offered transfer discounts between these services in the past. While the standard fare is $1 per ride, riders can also take advantage of transfer discounts when using a SmarTrip® Card.

The DC Circulator provides a convenient and affordable way to get around Washington, D.C., for both visitors and locals. The service increases the accessibility to the city's attractions and makes it easier to navigate the downtown area. The $1 fare per trip makes the DC Circulator a cost-effective option for those looking to get around the city without breaking the bank.

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Seniors and people with disabilities pay $0.50 per trip

The DC Circulator is a bus system in Washington, DC, that began operating in 2005. The standard fare is $1 per ride, but seniors and people with disabilities pay $0.50 per trip. Passengers 65 and older can use a Senior SmarTrip card or a government-issued ID to confirm their age.

The DC Circulator has provided free rides in the past. From February 2019 to October 2019, rides were free under Mayor Bowser's Fair Shot initiative. Free rides were also offered during the COVID-19 pandemic until October 1, 2021. Additionally, from January 28, 2019, through February 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that rides would be free as part of her Fair Shot February program.

The DC Circulator has experienced fluctuations in ridership over the years. Ridership peaked in 2011 and has since decreased. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,936,800. The DC Circulator is currently facing a reduction in services, with plans to phase out the service by the end of 2024 due to decreasing ridership and transportation budget cuts.

While the DC Circulator currently has a fare, there are ongoing discussions and efforts to make buses in DC free. The Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2022, passed by the DC Council, aims to make all buses in the District free for residents and visitors by summer 2023. This includes the 12 major bus lines that will operate on a 24-hour schedule. However, trips originating outside the District, such as those on Circulator buses, will still require a fare.

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DC Circulator buses are operated by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation

The DC Circulator is a bus system in Washington, DC, operated by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation in a public-private partnership with RATP Dev. The service began in 2005 and has since expanded to five routes from the initial two, with a ridership of 1,936,800 in 2023. The DC Circulator buses operate on a predictable fixed route and schedule, connecting the city's main attractions and popular neighbourhoods for visitors.

The fare for a ride on the DC Circulator is usually $1.00, with discounted fares available for students, seniors, and passengers with disabilities. Children under five can ride for free with a paying adult. The service also offers free transfers within two hours to other Circulator buses, Metrobus, and Metrorail for riders using a SmarTrip® Card.

In recent years, there have been periods when rides on the DC Circulator were made free, such as under Mayor Bowser's Fair Shot initiative from February to October 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic until October 1, 2021. However, the $1 fare was reinstated due to increased ridership and transportation budget cuts.

The DC Circulator currently offers six lines operating at 10-minute intervals, including routes connecting Georgetown, Union Station, Eastern Market, L'Enfant Plaza, Woodley Park, Adams Morgan, McPherson Square, Congress Heights, and the National Mall. The buses are similar to shuttle buses, providing a convenient and inexpensive way to get around Washington, DC, for both locals and visitors.

Frequently asked questions

The DC Circulator bus was free to ride between February 2019 and October 2019 under Mayor Bowser's Fair Shot initiative. Rides were also free during the COVID-19 pandemic until October 1, 2021. However, the standard fare of $1 per ride has since been reinstated.

Yes, seniors aged 65 and older and passengers with disabilities can ride the DC Circulator bus for a discounted fare of $0.50. Students with a Kids Ride Free SmarTrip® Card can ride for free to school and school-related activities. Children under 5 can also ride for free with a paying adult rider.

The DC Council passed the Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2022, which will make all buses in the District free for residents and visitors by summer 2023. However, this does not include Circulator buses, which will continue to cost $1 per trip.

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