(Washington, DC) – In response to rider request, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will implement several minor routing and bus stop changes to Circulator services beginning on October 1, 2012. DDOT is also holdings its third Semi-Annual Circulator Forum on Tuesday, September 18, starting at 6:30 pm. At the forum DDOT, will solicit feedback from passengers on the strengths and weaknesses of the bus system, to ensure the DC Circulator continues to meet the needs of current and future riders.

The Circulator's route performance, new enhancements, and future plans for the system are among the various items that will be presented and discussed at this forum.

What	Third Semi-Annual DC Circulator Public Forum
When	Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where	Union Station (Columbus Club) 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE

For those that are not able to attend this forum or that wish to submit comments at a later time please forward comments to Brooke Fossey at brooke.fossey@dc.gov. The public may also submit comments by clicking on the “contact us” link located on the DC Circulator website at dccirculator.com .

Routing and Bus Stop Changes

In addition to the meeting, DDOT will implement several minor adjustments to existing service on October 1, 2012. The Forum will be a good opportunity to discuss them or to ask questions. The changes entail:

Adding stops to the Potomac Ave-Skyland route at Good Hope Rd & Marbury Plaza

DDOT has received many requests to add bus stops on the Potomac Ave-Skyland route to serve the Marbury Plaza apartments and neighboring community. The new stops will operate in both directions in the route at Good Hope Rd SE and Marbury Plaza, and will not require any route detours. The stops will be operational on October 1.

Reroute of Union Station-Navy Yard near Union Station to allow for shared stop with
Union Station-Georgetown route

Many riders have asked for a shared stop for the two routes that access Union Station (the Georgetown-Union Station and the Union Station-Navy Yard routes). This has been challenging with the Columbus Plaza reconstruction effort. Beginning on October 1, 2012, Union Station-Navy Yard buses will detour westbound around Columbus Plaza, make a left on E Street NE, right on North Capitol Street, and right on Massachusetts Ave NE. The shared stop will be on eastbound Massachusetts Ave NE, just before E Street, where the current Union Station-Georgetown route stops now. Please note, Union Station-Georgetown route will proceed from that stop to the garage to layover. So, while it provides an easy connection between the routes for people who cannot walk long distances, there will still be a wait before the Union Station-Georgetown bus heads back westbound. For those who wish to avoid the wait may cross Massachusetts Ave and catch the westbound bus headed to Georgetown at North Capitol Street. The Union Station-Navy Yard bus will proceed from this shared stop back towards the Navy Yard via 2nd Street on its normal routing. This change is necessitated by the fact that Columbus Plaza construction will eliminate the current Navy Yard route stop at the Thurgood Marshall Building in the fall. A stop will be added on westbound Massachusetts Avenue before Columbus Circle for the convenience of those who wish to exit the bus before entering the Plaza.

Union Station-Navy Yard slight reroute at terminus

At the southern terminus of the route, instead of turning right from 1st Street SE to I Street SE, buses will turn right from 1st Street SE to K Street SE. No bus stops will be impacted. Buses will continue on the normal route to the Navy Yard Metro stop and points north and east.

Map change at 295 and Howard Rd

The Circulator map will be updated to reflect current operations, whereby buses turn off of 295 onto Howard Rd directly, instead of using the clover leaf further to the south and looping back on Firth Sterling. No bus stops will be impacted. This route simplification was made some time ago and the map is being updated to reflect the change.

Known for its convenient 10-minute headways, the Circulator costs one dollar a ride, with additional discounts for seniors and District students.  More information about the routes and schedules is available at www.dccirculator.com .

DDOT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, or gender, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or on the basis of disability as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Brooke Fossey at (202) 497-0164 or brooke.fossey@dc.gov in advance of the meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.