The new route DC Circulator added is AMAZING! It fills a huge service gap for Adams Morgan, where I live. Now I can easily get Columbia Heights, Logan Circle and even downtown quicker and cheaper. The buses are bright and clean and some of the drivers are very friendly. The crowd seems more "normal" to me. Meaning there are less grocery cart grannies, mothers dragging six kids, hordes of profane middle schoolers, or crazy homeless folks. (All of which, I realize are perfectly entitled to ride any bus they want.) The every-10-minutes schedule is simple to understand and they seem to do a good job spacing the buses out (I've never seen any stacked up like metrobus). And the BEST part is the route I take only makes 5 stops! The express-like service is ideal for me because I get there quicker and don't mind hoofing it for a couple of blocks. read more

Was in DC last weekend and discovered the Circulator. What a great deal. We took it back and forth from Georgetown to our hotel near Union Station a couple of times, for $1. Excellent. And it runs pretty frequently. Only complaint is it stops kind of early. We caught apparently the last bus from Georgetown at, I think, 9. It stopped cold and kicked us off about halfway back to Union Station, though at least the stop was at at a Metro stop. read more

This is my favorite way to get around DC! 1) it's a dollar 2) it comes (almost) every 10 min and 3) has a multitude of routes that go to all the popular places and 4) stops right near my house and right near my work on the same line so it's perfect! Granted, it doesn't always come every 10 min and it doesn't always come when the app says it will and it's often very crowded and you have to stand, BUT if you give yourself enough time to get where you're going and you don't mind standing, then it's perfect and it works perfectly for what I need it for so I'm happy better than more money and switching lines on the metro read more

Arrives every 10 minutes all day long. No need to ever consult a schedule, and it's just as good in the evening or mid-day as at rush hour. YAY! The K Street and Nat'l Mall routes are good, but the 14th Street route is the BEST bus route in the DC region, bar none. On top of the every 10 minutes service, it only stops every 1/2 mile or so (rather than every single block), so it's more like riding the Metro than a bus. Very fast. Very convenient. It is a better way to get to Columbia Heights from downtown than the Green Line. I'd give it 5 stars if all the other routes were limited-stop also, but alas, only the 14th Street route is so wonderful. read more

Completely unreliable. Comes when it wants to, sometimes takes over 30 minutes to arrive when the company boasts 10 minute turnaround.

The DC Circulator is one of the best bargains around. $1 fare for buses that run (approximately) every 10-15 minutes...at least, during rush hours. However, today, my experience was quite different...and jarring (to say the least). I boarded the Union Station/Georgetown bus at 13th & K. Shortly thereafter, a middle-aged man boarded, sat down and proceeded to look for his SmarTrip card. While he paid his fare, a passenger that had been standing - and assuming that he was leaving the bus - took his seat. He IMMEDIATELY started yelling at her, calling her all kinds of b#tch, etc. She profusely apologized (and retreated), but other passengers started saying that that his actions were unnecessary. One passenger in particular (a young black woman) was very vocal, and he immediately stood up and started walking towards her while screaming and cursing at the top of his lungs. At one point, the driver did stop the bus. Other passengers - clearly horrified - were trying to defuse the situation. He returned to his seat, but continued to yell and curse at the woman. I have NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY to get off a bus!! I did not want to witness what could easily have become a physical altercation. My question is this: 1- What (if anything) should the bus drive had done? Are there protocols to address situations like this? Should/could he call MPD to remove the passenger.....who was clearly a 'menacing presence'? 2 - What (as a passenger) do you recommend**? Call 911? **outside of not getting involved I am still VERY SHAKEN by what I just witnessed. There were (obviously) tourists (I know because I heard a part of their conversation) on the bus. This is truly a very very BAD representation of the District of Columbia. And it's MUCH too early in the day for this!!!! read more

The main problem with the circulator is that unreadable maps and a horrible website cause other problems. The only map that is readable is the one for the National Mall. All the others are so tiny that it doesn't matter how good your vision is. So you have to ask questions, and that's where the problems start. We had one driver who was impatient with our questions, and one who was downright rude. He pointed to his screen and said, "Can't you see I'm doing something right now?" The service is not visitor friendly. The signs for the next stop are hard to see if you sit on the window side, and the drivers' voices are not always clear when they are saying the next stop. They have to understand that many of us are visitors--many from other countries too. Another problem with the maps is the street names are very difficult to read. So even if the driver says we should get off at 14th St. and Q St., it's hard to find that and we have to use Google Maps. read more

This is the worst bus service we've ever taken. They claim they run every 10 minutes. We were at stop #10 at the National Mall with about 25 people in line, mind you it's 94 degrees out and humid. I called their hotline number and was put on hold until a lady answered and said they were sending a bus out to our stop. The only bus that came was a "Training Bus" circulator and they shrugged their shoulders to all 25 of us. We finally got a bus at our stop after 45 minutes of waiting. read more

DC Circulator - The line of people waiting for 30 minutes... - Public Transportation Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were (tourist) touring on July 1st and had the pleasure of riding with Keith Howard. He is a definite asset to your company! He was kind, courteous, patient, knowledgeable and definitely a great sense of humor, with everyone on the bus. Thanks to him, it was a great tour for two who are unable to walk to all the monuments. His recommendations for the museums to visit were right on. read more

The DC Circulator provides the service that the Metro system just doesn't quite get right - it gets you to places that aren't served by a nearby Metro station and connects the places that would normally require a couple of transfers on trains and buses. In addition, it's just one cool dollar... plus they accept SmarTrip and honor Metro transfers! The buses are clean and comfortable, and the drivers are generally friendly and helpful (a step above some of the Metrobus operators). They seem to stick to schedule as much as they can, considering the traffic they hit during rush hour downtown. The stops are spaced out along major routes. Very useful! read more

Overall a very inexpensive alternative to the traditional DC metro bus system, there are however pros and cons just like any transportation system, I will list them for easier reading: PROS - Super cheap! (Only $1 standard fare and even less with a Metro transfer) - Buses (normally) come more frequently than Metro bus on same overlapping routes - Drivers are generally friendly and courteous CONS - Poor timing, sometimes there are 30 minute gaps between buses despite the falsely advertised "10 minutes or less" especially on weekends and holidays. - Some drivers drive EXTREMELY SLOW and seem to purposely stop at every red light. Do not take if you are in a mad rush to get somewhere. - Layover at end-point stops such as Union Station and Rosslyn, I have seen drivers get off bus to take smoke breaks and chat on their cell phones at these stops. read more

I can no longer count on the circulator for my commute. It is continuously more than 10-15 minutes late and the customer service is so poor. I have been delayed to work so many times that even metro is more dependable. The affordabilty cannot make up for the total inconsistency of service. Most times I am left waiting there is a functional bus, at Union Station, with 7-10 drivers on it relaxing and joking together but not working. Infuriating. read more

3.5 Stars I was working in Georgetown when they launched the Circulator route a few years back. This route starts at Union Station and goes all the way to Georgetown for $1. From Georgetown to Union Station, it took about 40 minutes, give or take. Since then, they have changed the route a bit and expanded the service to include other neighborhoods. They also used to run until 9pm but now run later hours. They accept cash, SmarTrip, and you can also pay for a pass by credit card if you happen to be near one of their ticket meters. As I am only familiar with the Georgetown-Union Station route, I would say that the Circulator is fairly reliable, but since it's grown in popularity, this particular route gets very crowded. Technically, it is supposed to run every 10 minutes, but it is sporadic. Sometimes, two buses will run back-to-back. Additionally, they changed the route a few times. It used to run down the length of K Street and down through the tunnel by the Loews Theatre, which I used to like because I would walk up Jefferson and get a coffee at Baked and Wired before going to work at Lush. Now it goes a different way and if I still worked in Georgetown, I would say it adds more time to the commute. During rush hour traffic, it is stop and go, and sometimes it would take 30 minutes to get to Farragut North. There were quite a few times where I would see a Circulator bus and I would power walk all the way to Georgetown and get there before it did! The best way to catch this bus was to get off at Farragut North and get on K & 17th. It's not as long of a commute as getting on at Union Station and you'll be able to get a seat before it gets horribly crowded. The 38B Metro bus also stops here so if you don't mind paying $0.25-0.35 more, it will also take you to Georgetown before continuing on to Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, and Ballston. read more

The DC Circulator is the one bright spot in the otherwise shittastic public transit system we have in DC/MD/VA. I love that it only costs $1, and I love not having to freak out over missing the bus because I know the next one will be here in 10 minutes. If I want to treat myself to a nice lunch in Foggy Bottom or Georgetown, I get to ride a nice clean bus and laugh at all the schmucks who have to spend almost as much on cab rides or parking as they did on their meal. read more

This is what all city bus lines around the country should emulate. I love the actual bus they use, clean, well placed seating, and convenient routes underserved by the Metro. Cheaper than a city bus and usually less packed with derelicts and homeless. You get more of the lost tourist crowd on here as well but that's part of the give and take of public transportation. I like the expansion of routes as well, if they could just get one of the Georgetown routes back under the Whitehurt on K to avoid the M Street traffic snarl it would be even better. Somehow I think their drivers are better than the standard Metro drivers also. read more

The new route that started in June and makes stops from Union Station to all the monuments for just a $1 is awesome. Save your feet and plan to use this bus to not only take you out to the Jefferson Memorial, but also to get back to Capital Hill. read more

If the Circulator sign at each stop would only be labeled with the final stop, I'd give five stars. As is, it runs more frequently than any other bus it seems and more reliably. It's cheap--$1, or 50 cents transferring from the Metro. It connects popular destinations on different Metro lines, which is always helpful. Rosslyn to Dupont passing through Georgetown is so much handier than the 38B which never seems to come. From McPherson it's a short ride up to U Street, Columbia Heights and over to the red line, and all probably faster than waiting for Metro transfers unless it's rush hour traffic. read more

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Circulator. It's cheaper than Metrobus, less complicated to figure out routes and easy to use. I use it more than I use the Metro. What is even more fantastic is that this baby runs pretty much on schedule every 10 to 15 minutes. I never have to wait long for a bus, especially the Downtown routes. I wish they had more seating though because during rush hours, it does tend to get crowded, but a lot of the time, I can usually get a seat. Just hold on tight because the bus drivers like to drive as if they are in the Indy 500, but I am not gonna complain. I like getting to where I need to get fast. They don't do a stop every block, it's almost like taking an express bus really. So, if you see a Circulator going by on your route, don't be curious about it, jump on and you'll be hooked like me! read more

A DOLLAR!!!! We used this to get from Union Station to Georgetown, as well as around the mall. Amazing!

This is a fabulous find! No need to do the hop-on hop-off buses. $1.00 fare, and with the Smartrip card you have a two hour window for a free transfer onto the next Circulator bus, which then begins the next two hour transfer period; with a little planning your $1.00 fare can take you around for the entire day! read more

It is potentially unhealthy how much I love the Circulator. I don't even realize how much I talk about it until friends visiting DC start to make fun of me. I live off of Penn Ave and so the line that goes from Union Station to G-town is perfect for me. It costs $1, is clean, the driver is nice, and it gets you where you want to go in no time at all. I love that they opened up new Circulator lines but I haven't tried them out yet. Also, it doesn't hurt that my favorite color is red... read more

I've been riding this bus a lot more often, and I just recently noticed the abundance of stop request buttons on these buses are insanely convenient. Usually on a regular metro bus I have to stand up to pull the cord, or turn around and reach backward, but there is a button within arms reach at every seat. Awesome. read more

Getting from Union Station to Georgetown for $1, what's not to like?

For the hard to reach places. Not so fun during rush hour, but otherwise a real easy and cost-effect way to get around. I always love getting on public buses to see the neighborhoods that people work and play in and what better way than on a motor coach that costs less than my morning cup of coffee. read more

New, comfortable air conditioned buses. Short waits at bus stops. Only $1 per ride. read more

The problem with the bus is the posted schedule is a bus every ten minutes. The website says a bus every 10 minutes. DRIVERS say we don't do that any more. We show up when we show up. Other tourist I talked to agree that it is a minimum of 20 minutes between buses. That does not sound like a lot but when you plan your tour on 10 minute intervals it is not a fun experience. I believe the contractor has been allowed to reduce his labor and no one complains. I plan on writing the Transit system to see who to complain to. The Circulator did not answer the phone when I called. read more

I'm a HUGE fan of the DC Circulator. It is so much better than WMATA. When I worked in Rosslyn I took the Dupont to Rosslyn route everyday. It's only $1!! Really, you can't beat that. Cheaper than metrobus. They are generally clean and drivers courteous. My only gripe is that sometimes the buses are timed badly. So two buses will come right in a row and then no bus for 20 minutes. I do LOVE that you can transfer to another Circulator bus for free within 2 hours. This is especially useful if I wanted to jump off on the way home and grab something from a store. WMATA should allow this! Keep in mind the routes are limited, but they get you where you need to go generally pretty quick so if you are going somewhere on a circulator line highly recommend. read more

I love the DC Circulator! It's convenient, timely and clean. And it's only $1! It's the cheapest public transit around. Specifically, I generally use the 21st and Pennsylvania stop to get to the Chinatown area or I will take it on rainy days to Georgetown. The bus drivers are always friendly. I definitely recommend the DC Circulator! read more

Very aggravating. We waited 45-60 minutes of our precious short visiting time and it never showed up. We called and were told"every ten minutes ... We have no way of knowing where it is because we don't have trackers on them". Poor service, not recommended. read more

Pretty good bus service can't even lie. Probably has the most diverse passengers in city. Will be looking forward to more routes in the future. read more

I'd give it a 5 if the buses weren't too hot. Winter or summer, more often than not, they are running a sauna on wheels.

$1 fares. Great for me when I visited DC as a tourist. Check their website for the routes and times the buses run.

Gets you from point A to point B. Staff are friendly and great. They know how to get you to where you're going and, more importantly, they know when you're on the wrong bus (and how to get you to the right one!) read more

Horrible wait times. Their only consistency is the inconsistency in waits. Never ten, usually 30 mins or worse

I've rode the Circulator from Union Station several times for a quick lunch time jaunt. It's convenient and relatively cheap (it hasn't increased its fares like metro has). The ride usually is quick however the last time I jumped on, it took snails pace. I could have walked there in that time. Nearly an hour! Mind you it hardly takes that much time however this driver was such a Chatty Cathy and trying to pick up this 20 something girl. The chick kept yakking on and on standing right next to him. To top it off she wasn't even standing behind the yellow line! I was sorely tempted to just snap a picture and email it to his supervisor. But that was not gonna get me to Gtown any faster. At every stoplight, he would chat up a storm and then try to take down her info. By the time the light changed it would be red again and this agonizing dance played on until we hit K street. Fed up we decided to jump ship and just walk up to m street, several other people hopped off and we commiserated by bitching our way up the hill. Not every ride is like this, at least coming back was faster. I just hope you NEVER ever get this driver! read more

I had a problem with the Circulator when I first started to take it, so I emailed them to complain when they didn't show up at the K & 19th stop. Cindy responded right away, explaining that they didn't have a stop there (although they do have a physical stop, but who knows why) , but to try up the street at K &18th. Which I did, and have been utterly satisfied ever since. the bus doesn't exactly come every 10 minutes, but it's pretty regular. And it's cheap: only a buck. My only complaint is it takes ages to get from Foggy Bottom to Union Station--sometimes 45 minutes. When it takes 3 minutes for me take the metro, it's a tough choice sometimes. read more

I see them, but I'm not sure where they stop. I hear the stops have special little signs on them, and I think I've ridden one or 2 because they happened to pull up first while I was waiting for a metrobus. But, the couple times I tried to chase one down in Adams Morgan, it just kept going and going and going... past all 3 metrobus stops I chased it to before I finally gave up. If the point is to reduce the number of stops, well they have succeeded. If the goal is expand mass transit, then I'm not really sure why they don't just give them a normal bus number route and treat them like a normal metrobus that actually stops. read more

I want to thank the DC Circulator drivers and the company for a great vacation. My daughter and I were in DC early September. She ordered online the trip ticket for a seven day ride off and on privileges for only a $11 per person. The bus took you around the mall and also took us to Georgetown. We did not have to wait long for any bus. The drivers were polite and knowledgeable. If I had a wish list it would be that the bus would have gone to the White House and closer to The Capital. read more

The buses do not arrive every ten minutes at all. I waited at two different locations, and the bus never came after 20+ minutes, and when one finally did come by, it never stopped, because a bus was already parked in the Circulator bus parking zone. So, we went on foot and saw some of what we intended to see. For a $1 fare, you apparently get a $1's worth of service. read more

This service is an insult to DC tourism. Most drivers have little to no respect for locals and tourist. The other day I watched as driver verblily insulted a family as they entered the bus, because they entered the bus in the back instead of the front door. This was an honest mistake on the tourist part but still he could have spoken in more of a cilvilized tone to these people who come to visit the Nations Capital spend money and share how they get treated in DC I guess that family has a story to share when they get home. This all happened on the Mall bus. You would think this is the bus they should be the niciest. Shame on the cirulator bus service. read more