About Us

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Promoting ease of movement throughout our world-class capital city
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Our Story

The DC Circulator provides public transportation to the District’s main attractions and most lively neighborhoods for business, culture and entertainment at a cost of only $1. The system consists of six distinct routes across Washington, DC, and even into Rosslyn, VA, and provides close to five million trips a year. DC Circulator services each stop every 10 minutes, providing simple, fast and affordable transit to residents, commuters and visitors around the nation’s capital.

DC Circulator started as the product of a unique partnership between the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and DC Surface Transit, Inc. (DCST). The idea for a quick, efficient, low-cost public transit system originated in the National Capital Planning Commission’s 1997 “Extending the Legacy: Planning America’s Capital for the 21st Century” vision for the District. Various business improvement districts were early champions of its implementation.

Celebrating more than a decade of affordable, comfortable and efficient service, the DC Circulator system continues to expand and is now the fourth-largest bus system in the region. In 2015 the system expanded with new service along the National Mall.  Through a partnership between DDOT, DCST and National Park Service (NPS), the Circulator provides visitors, commuters and residents door-to-door transportation to more than 25 museums, monuments, and memorials along the National Mall.

Our Mission

The DC Circulator delivers affordable, comfortable and efficient bus service that connects people to business, culture and entertainment throughout the District.

 

Commitments to Service

  • Distinctive, comfortable buses
  • High frequency service – every 10 minutes
  • Simple, affordable fare structure
  • Easy-to-understand routes connecting to more transportation options