Circulator Fare Hike Possible with Proposed Expansion

Councilmember Mary Cheh last week proposed expanding circulator service to Glover Park and the National Cathedral, among other areas of the District, and would pay for the service by increasing fares in some cases by double.

In Cheh’s committee budget, she also proposes expanding the Circulator to the National Mall, U Street, and the neighborhoods surrounding Howard University.

Funding for these expansions would rely on an increase in the Circulator fare, effective July 1, 2014 in Cheh's proposal.

The Washington Post reports that passengers could be paying as much as double the current fare:

"Cheh (D-Ward 3), in her capacity as chair of the council’s transportation committee, is proposing to double the Circulator fare to $2 for riders paying cash. Those using SmarTrip cards would pay $1.50, according to a draft report circulated Wednesday."

Cheh's budget also allocates funds for the purchase of seven new Circulator buses to meet the demand for expanded service.

Would you pay extra for your Circulator trips in exchange for having the buses service more areas of the city? Tell us in the comments.