New Bethesda Circulator Fleet To Debut Next Week

Bethesdans will soon be riding around town in style after a new fleet of Bethesda Circulator buses makes its debut next week.

The new circulator buses will follow the same 2.1 mile route around downtown Bethesda. They'll make the same 20 stops – including at the Bethesda Metro, parking garages, and restaurants and retail hot spots. Rides will still be free. But the old trolleys – and their – are out, and the new, 29-seat EZ Rider II BRT buses are in.

The buses, in Bethesda’s signature red (with a splash of blue and yellow), will offer more reliable service and a more comfortable ride, according to a news release. BUP has managed Circulator service since 2006.

The new buses feature accessible seating, clean-burning diesel fuel, and “state-of-the-art” interior and exterior design. They’ll make their debut during a press event at 10:30 Aug. 2 at Veteran’s Park.

A fleet of three new buses are being introduced, according to Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center director Ken Hartman. Generally, two buses will operate with a third in reserve, but all three buses will operate during rush hours following the closure of parking lots 31 and 31A near the intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues. The lots are expected to close in the fall to allow for the construction of a and officials are encouraging long-term parkers to use alternate lots in Bethesda and ride the Circulator downtown.

Stay tuned to Patch for updates on the Lot 31 project.

Circulator ridership increased about ten percent in the fall and winter of 2009, compared to the same months in 2008, according to BUP. Saturday service was added in 2010. The route typically see more than 1,000 riders daily, according to BUP.

For more information about the Bethesda Circulator, visit the Bethesda Transportation Solutions website.