USA: Washington’s District Department of Transportation has confirmed the planned closure date for the DC Streetcar service.
From January 4 2026 the tramway will have revised operating hours with headways increased from 12 min to 20 min and no Sunday service. Services will end on March 31 2026.
Announcing the closure date on October 28, DDOT said it was co-ordinating with WMATA Metrobus to provide alternatives for current riders. Information outlining the options, as well as access to Capital Bikeshare and other DDOT-managed modes of transportation, is available on its website.
DDOT said it ‘acknowledges and appreciates’ the contributions of riders, employees and community members who have supported the DC Streetcar during its decade of service.
The 3·9 km line runs along H Street NE and Benning Road from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue, serving eight stops. Services are operated by RATP Dev, and travel is free of charge.
The project endured numerous delays before it opened late and over-budget in February 2016. Performance was impacted by mix-traffic on-street running, and local buses already provide alternative travel options.
Ridership has been lower than expected, peaking at 1·185 million journeys in 2017.
Plans to close the line were announced in May this year, with City Administrator Kevin Donahue telling local media this would make it possible ‘to more nimbly and quickly’ expand public transport services.
