Is it just me, or does the new Circulator route through Mt Pleasant seem like a little nugget of inside knowledge? The neighborhood blogging and transit communities are privy. So are a few downtown workers that gather at the Mt P and Columbia heights stops every morning. But otherwise, I don't think the masses realize how great this bus is or that it even exists.
There is absolutely no advertising for the new route. Some riders don't realize that the bus is limited stop once they get on. So far the drivers have been nice about dropping people off at the next corner when this occurs. Other potential riders are hesitant to get on or ask the driver about the route when waiting for the regular Metro bus at designated stops. The bus is almost always empty, even on days and during times when it should be packed. And those in the know are constantly talking up the bus while riding it, in my observations.
Once again, this bus is awesome. It has consistently run about every 10 minutes so far. All along a route of only 7 stops from Woodley Park to McPherson Sq. It runs until the Metro closes each night, and yes that means until 3AM on the weekends. It costs $1! That is a steal. And it's virtually an express bus. The new route connects with Metro Rail at several stations as welll as the east-west Circulator route. Yes, for some the infrequent stoppage is a problem. The regular Metro bus is still running for those folks. But for everyone else, please take advantage of the Circulator. Late DDOT know that they have hit upon a great idea and that we support it.
10 comments:
How many options does the city have to advertise a new bus route? The transit websites contain information on the routes. The media has written stories on the route. Hopefully a mailer has been sent to every Smart Trip cardholder with a billing/mailing address within a 1/2 mile of the route. At some point though it falls on the potential riders to be curious and seek out information on the bus they see travel past them everyday...
re: 4th and eye comment: Actually, free passes have been sent to most residents on the route. And I agree, there's not much more they can do in terms of PR (without paying a fortune). So, all things considered, the Circulator is making a valiant effort.
However, they could make a greater effort to communicate to the Spanish speaking demographic - I witnessed mucho confusion the other day as Salvadoran riders struggled to determine the express route.
Still, the Circulator is what it is, and, for those of us who live in Logan Circle, who would have thought there would ever be such a fast route to Adams Morgan?
I love this bus too, precisely because it is "Express". It's almost the equivalent of the New York "Cross Town" bus taking you from East side to West Side.
The Georgetown Circulator, however, is not great. Aside from the fact that it takes you from Union Station to Georgetown, it stops almost every block along the way. It might as well be another Metrobus. I think the city would be wise to invest in more Express routes that connect multiple metro lines (as the Mt. Pleasant Circulator does-orange, blue, green, yellow, and red-). I'm loving getting around the city so quickly-and so greenly.
It would be nice if it stopped on the west side of the triangular park at 16 & Harvard where the 42 and H Buses stop. It's only one additional stop but would provide a lot more connectivity
Just a quick question: Will the circulator take my SmartTrip or do I have to pay with cash?
Circulator accepts Smartrip
I've received three mailers advertising the Circulator. Not too shabby.
i have not received any mailers, but i have seen some of the youtube promo spots. funny stuff.
I actually go out of my way to take this bus, because I want to support the creation of more express bus routes in DC. And I love that it is now so easy to get to Logan Circle from Adams Morgan.
I've looked on the CDCirculator.com map to take this bus from Mt. P to Connecticut, but the stops are ambiguous, even the route. Where do I board? Look for yourself. Is that stop at 14th or Columbia? If 14th, does it head south, or turn right and go west from there? Professional maps should be better than this. And the map is the only source of info on the site. There's no list of stops, no timetable, nothing. Might be a pretty website, but it's quite uninformative. And thus the pretty, empty buses.
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