Bus Rapid Transit Cheaper, As Quick as Streetcars

As the District Department of Transportation evaluates the merits of possible premium transit options between Union Station and Georgetown, the numbers draw stark differences between three alternatives including two possible streetcar lines and one premium bus line.

• Read: Routes of Three Alternatives

A premium bus line would cost between $210 and $230 million and would take 21 minutes to travel eastbound and 23 minutes to travel westbound during peak travel times. The less costly of two proposed streetcar alternatives would cost between $340 and $370 million and would take 22 minutes to travel either east or westbound during peak travel times.

The third and most expensive option would be a streetcar line that costs between $380 and $415 million and would take 25 minutes to travel eastbound and 32 minutes to travel westbound during peak travel times. This option costs more because the east and westbound lines separate between Mount Vernon Square and Washington Circle, with one direction using K Street and another using I Street, necessitating significant additional construction.

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All three lines assume that a dedicated K Street Transitway will be built to allow a bus or streetcar to move without the hindrance of other traffic.

In his most recent budget, Mayor Vincent Gray has set aside $400 million —including the cost of streetcars— to make a route between Union Station and Georgetown a reality.

DDOT staff are expected to present a preferred alternative from among the three at a June meeting.

While cost is a factor, other issues like the number of parking spaces sacrificed, public preference for certain modes of transit, estimated ridership and other elements will influence DDOT's preferences.

Learn more: http://unionstationtogeorgetown.com

Read more about streetcars coming to Georgetown:

• DDOT Unveils Potential Georgetown Streetcar Lines
• Georgetown University Wants Streetcar to Extend to Campus
• All Eyes on DC Streetcar Plan
• Union Station to Georgetown Transit Service Under Consideration