On Monday, District Department of Transportation announced several changes in its D.C. Circulator bus service, including the elimination of the upper Wisconsin Avenue section of the Georgetown-Union Station line.
In a press release, DDOT spokesman John Lisle attributed the cut to budget constraints, stating that the extension carried only 2 percent of the line’s total ridership but was responsible for 15 percent of the cost. The Smithsonian-National Mall loop service was cut back to the summer-only, however DDOT also announced the installation of a new stop on Columbia Road after receiving nearly 100 requests from residents of Adams Morgan, in addition to extending the Union Station-Navy Yard line.
The decision to cut Circulator service has been received quietly. Both the CAG and the Commissioners from the ACN are speaking out about the service cut.
“We are very concerned about the issue. It would be a horrible blow to our community,” CAG President Jennifer Altemus said.
CAG has taken up the issue with Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2-D), who convinced Mayor Adrian Fenty to continue the temporary extension of upper Wisconsin Circulator service in April 2008.
CAG complains that the elimination of the Circulator extension would leave only two regular buses on the 30’s line in the Wisconsin Avenue area that serve downtown Washington. CAG has also contested the notion that the extension doesn’t serve enough riders, noting that the Hardy and British schools attract many users and the re-opening of the Safeway supermarket next spring will increase ridership on the route.
ANC Commissioner Ron Lewis also expressed his dissatisfaction with DDOT’s decision. Although he noted that the ANC can only act officially at its next meeting on Tuesday, September 29, Lewis said that he “will support a resolution calling for the DC government to leave Circulator service in place along Wisconsin Avenue.”
Evans’ office has not made any swift declarations about the service change.
“We’re working with the mayor and DDOT to see if they can revisit the issue and restore service,” Jeff Coudriet, Evans’ Committee Clerk, said.
“It’s unfortunate. We regret having to make any cuts,” DDOT Director of Communications Karyn LeBlanc said.
