To the editor: I use D.C. Circulator’s Rosslyn-Georgetown route at least twice a week, for my job performing at a Georgetown piano bar Friday and Saturday nights. For every person like me, a Rosslyn resident who uses it to reach a Georgetown venue, surely there’s a D.C. resident who uses it to reach a Rosslyn venue like The Continental.
The route brings both employment and patrons to and from Arlington and the nation’s capital. In particular, it’s the only one of D.C. Circulator’s six routes that extends beyond the city limits into Arlington.
Earlier this month, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s budget proposed eliminating the Circulator entirely – all six routes. The proposal awaits a May vote by the D.C. Council, which could potentially approve, modify or reject it.
I’m writing to urge the Arlington County Board to publicly voice their opposition, particularly to eliminating the Rosslyn-Georgetown route. I’m also writing to urge the D.C. Council to oppose eliminating the Rosslyn-Georgetown route in particular.
If the D.C. City Council wants to improve the Circulator’s finances, its members could consider options including raising the fare or decreasing frequency. Eliminating that route entirely, though, would cut off a vital form of transportation for many employers, patrons and residents – in both Arlington and D.C. alike.
Jesse Rifkin, Arlington
