03/26/2026
Charles Allen
We are now in the final stretch of DC Streetcar operations, with DDOT's confirmed end-of-service date of Tuesday, March 31, following reduced service that began in January.
At this point, the outcome has been a long time coming. The Mayor eliminated Streetcar funding in her budget proposal and repurposed those dollars elsewhere. I was disappointed by that decision, but ultimately, we were unable to restore the funding necessary to continue operations.
The Streetcar has always been more than just a mode of transportation. It helped shape H Street into what it is today and signaled a tangible investment in the corridor’s future. It also maintained dedicated ridership, even as broader expansion never materialized.
Once westward expansion was blocked and eastward expansion continually delayed, the Streetcar’s full promise was never realized. Without a larger network, it was difficult to unlock the broader transit transformation many of us originally believed it could deliver.
So, what comes next?
As redevelopment at the RFK stadium campus comes into focus, this is precisely the moment to plan for the next major transit investment in the east end of the city, one that connects the future stadium site, Benning Road, H Street, and Union Station in a meaningful and reliable way.
That’s why I secured funding in the FY26 budget to begin studying and planning for a bus rapid transit corridor along this route and why I held a roundtable focused on transit planning for the new campus late last year. I’ve seen firsthand how a substantial investment in Arlington’s Route 1 corridor transformed what was once traffic-dominated into a vibrant, accessible place. We should be thinking just as boldly for H Street and Benning Road.
In the meantime, DDOT will implement near-term bus improvements along H Street, including curbside changes to make it easier for buses to load and unload and move more efficiently, small but meaningful steps to improve reliability.
The Streetcar’s chapter is closing, and I know many of you share my disappointment. But this moment should not be the end of ambitious transit planning for H Street. It should be the beginning of the next phase.
