Last month, some D.C. residents found out their bus fare was climbing. Then this week, they got a new and cheaper bus route.
And now thousands of them are receiving free ride coupons to try out that new bus.
Confused yet? The city ended one discount for 19 bus lines branded under the Metrobus banner, and started a city-owned D.C. Circulator route for effectively the same price as riders paid under the old discount.
The city is hoping to make things clear to the affected residents by sending out 25,000 free ride coupons to households along the new Circulator route. The one-ride coupons come with information on how to use the service.
The city launched the new line on Monday, running six buses from Potomac Avenue Metro in east Capitol Hill to Skyland shopping center and Good Hope Marketplace Shopping Center. It’s the first time the popular service has crossed to the east side of the Anacostia River. Rides cost $1 and the system offers free transfers to other Circulator buses.
Late last month some of the riders who are benefiting from the new route saw their Metrobus fares rise, as the District changed a 20-year-old bus discount program it ran through Metro. Unless riders transfer to or from the Metrorail system, they now pay the regular Metrobus fare of $1.50 with SmarTrip or $1.70 with cash.
City officials say the two events are unrelated.
