D.C. started phasing out its Circulator bus program on Oct. 1; it will be completely dead by the end of the year. The cut affects thousands of riders, and at least 90 bus employees will be laid off. So, why did D.C. do this? We asked Dan Tangherlini, who launched the service when he ran the city's transportation department.
Hold Up. What Exactly Is the Circulator?
The Circulator originated as a way to help visitors easily get around downtown and tourist destinations for just $1 a ride. It has since expanded to six routes across downtown and Rosslyn. The Circulator had 1.9 million riders last year.
Why Was It Cut?
While many still rely on the Circulator, its ridership levels never returned to normal post-pandemic like other bus routes. It only had half the number of riders last year compared to 2019. Low ridership and a tight budget year resulted in it getting slashed.
Bikes, scooters, and rideshare apps have increased Washingtonians’ transportation options since the Circulator began. (pumppump/Getty Images)
The Bigger Picture
At the time of its inception in 1997, the Circulator filled a critical gap in the Metro bus system. However, D.C.’s bus system has since improved significantly. Rideshare, e-bikes, and scooters have also made getting around town easier, said Tangherlini.
I think in many ways the DC circulator did what it was supposed to do. It demonstrated that bus service can actually be useful.
Dan Tangherlini, Former DDOT Director
What Happens to The Riders?
As of Tuesday, the Dupont Circle-Rosslyn route has stopped running completely, and other Circulator buses will arrive every 20 minutes instead of every 10. WMATA will supplement some Circulator routes, such as the Rosslyn-Georgetown-Downtown route, but most will simply be cut.
What About the Bus Drivers?
D.C. Council passed emergency legislation on Tuesday that will take any money the city receives from the sale of Circulator vehicles to help the bus drivers who are losing their jobs. However, some drivers remain frustrated that their jobs aren’t being absorbed by WMATA.
