DC Circulator
A DC Circulator bus at Eastern Market in June 2018. | |
| Founded | July 2005 |
|---|---|
| Defunct | December 31, 2024 |
| Service area | Downtown Washington, D.C. |
| Service type | Downtown circulator |
| Routes | 6 + 1 seasonal |
| Stops | 139 |
| Fleet | 81 |
| Annual ridership | 1,236,100 (2024) |
| Fuel type | Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, Electric bus |
| Operator | RATP Dev |
| Partners |
|
| Website | dccirculator |
The DC Circulator was a bus system in Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia Department of Transportation operated the service in a public–private partnership with RATP Dev.
The DC Circulator buses were similar to shuttle buses since they operated on a predictable fixed route and schedule, and run between the city's main attractions and some of the more popular neighborhoods for visitors. The service began in 2005, and passengers increased as the routes grew from two to five. Ridership peaked in 2011, and decreased thereafter. In 2024, the system had a ridership of 1,236,100.
The fare per ride was $1.00. The subsidy per rider is unusually high; in 2016, it averaged $3.32.
In July 2024, the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation announced that the system's services would be reduced beginning in October 2024, and phased out entirely by the end of the year. The last day of service for the DC Circulator was on December 31, 2024.