If you use the NextBus app to find out when to catch public transportation, you may have noticed a new option. That’s right—you can see when the next long-awaited D.C. Streetcar is coming.
That’s not to say you can ride it, though. The $200 million project is still in its pre-revenue operations mode, which means that it “simulates service along the corridor without passengers,” according to the District Department of Transportation.
As it turns out, the inclusion of D.C. Streetcar times on the app is part of the testing phase.
“DDOT has been conducting a series of tests to make sure the Streetcar system is working efficiently and properly,” says DDOT spokesperson Terry Owens. “The streetcar vehicle location information provided by NextBus is part of that.”
Pre-revenue operations began on December 16, and take at least 21 days to complete. D.C. Fire and EMS still has to grant final approval to open it to the public.
WAMU reported today that DDOT is hoping to have the free streetcar up and running by February 20.
Rachel Kurzius