The VIPs getting on #streetcar pic.twitter.com/32aCV5CSke
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
The first #streetcar ride. Now it's officially open and stopping to pick up riders pic.twitter.com/4MNe8STcvH
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
About 80 people were on that first ride - Streetcar can hold up to 150 if packed in standing. I'm riding other way pic.twitter.com/fL3s6aLSas
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
The streetcar signs pic.twitter.com/rK1QLDTIGr
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
.@DCStreetcar first full passenger trip Okla Ave - Union Station. Here at 5th st pic.twitter.com/e9VyKZ06go
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
Here's video of first car to serve Oklahoma Ave stop at east end of line pic.twitter.com/DQ8OCqYYlt
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 27, 2016
WASHINGTON — The District has been struggling to get a streetcar system up and running for about a decade, but finally after years of delays, it opened this weekend with much fanfare, including marching bands and speeches from elected officials.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other dignitaries gathered at H and 13th streets, in Northeast Saturday morning for the unveiling of the system, which runs along H Street and Benning Road.
Rides will be free for passengers for at least six months.
“What we want to do is look at the ridership and look at the customer feedback at the six-month mark,” says District Department of Transportation Director Leif Dormsjo.
“Right now we’re in a promotional period.”
The streetcar line stretches 2.2 miles, but there are plans to eventually extend it.
It will run six days a week, Monday through Saturday.
WTOP’s Nick Iannelli and Max Smith contributed to this report.
