• The DC Circulator made its debut in downtown Washington, DC on July 10, 2005. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) owns the system. WMATA manages the service, and First Transit, a private sector transit operator, operates it. The District, the federal government, and city business leaders that supported the service will fund operating costs. In addition, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is marketing the service to the general public.

The service uses 29 ex-AC Transit (Oakland, CA) units. AC Transit ordered more A330s than the agency could afford, so the units were snapped up by the District, which was in the market for an eye-catching, tourist-friendly bus for their proposed downtown shuttle service.

There are two routes in the system which connect various tourist attractions such as Georgetown, Washington Convention Center, Union Station, and the Waterfront. The system also links major cultural, entertainment and business destinations within the city’s central core.

These units are powered by the Cummins ISL 280 engine and the Voith D864.3 4-speed transmission.
 

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DC Circulator 1102 is seen on a Washington Nationals gameday special at RFK Stadium.

DC Circulator 1109 is seen on 7th and H Streets, NW in Chinatown on the Convention Center route.

DC Circulator 1114 is seen laying over at RFK Stadium awaiting service on a Washington Nationals gameday special.

The driver's area of DC Circulator 1114.

DC Circulator 1119 is seen at RFK Stadium on a Washington Nationals gameday shuttle.

DC Circulator 1119 is seen at RFK Stadium on a Washington Nationals gameday special.

DC Circulator 1119 is seen at RFK Stadium on a Washington Nationals gameday special.

The interior of DC Circulator 1119, looking towards the rear.

The interior of DC Circulator 1119, looking towards the front.

The forward facing STOP REQUESTED light on DC Circulator 1119. This light is mounted on the rear wall of the bus as an added convenience to standee and rearward-sitting passengers.

The TwinVision Chroma IV keypad of DC Circulator 1119. AC Transit's No Smoking/Eating/Radios and fleet number plates have yet to be removed from this unit.

DC Circulator 1120 is seen on Massachusetts Avenue across from Union Station in Washington, DC on the Georgetown route.

DC Circulator 1122 is seen laying over at RFK Stadium on a Washington Nationals gameday special.

DC Circulator 1122 is seen at RFK Stadium on a Washington Nationals gameday special.