New Dupont Pickup for Washington Deluxe Bus Advances

Washington Deluxe Bus may have a new pickup point in Dupont Circle soon. But the pickup point for the DC2NY bus will stay where it is.

Site of the proposed new pickup point

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont sent forward a request by Washington Deluxe Bus to move its pickup point. The proposed new pickup point will be on the Connecticut Avenue side of the triangular park just across from the north exit of Dupont Circle metro. The other two sides of the triangular park are bordered by Q and 20th Streets NW.

Current location unsatisfactory

The pickup point for Washington Deluxe Bus is currently 1320 19th Street, in front of Levante's, a Mediterranean restaurant. The waiting passengers and fumes from idling buses were not raising the popularity of the restaurant's sidewalk seating. Another pickup point was sought.

Lyle Blanchard, presenting for Washington Deluxe Bus, said that the pickup point will be at the north end of the block, near the corner of Connecticut and 20th Streets. Blanchard is a former ANC2B Commissioner.

Effect on Farmers' Market

The Commission Vice-chair Mike Feldstein (district 01) asked about the effect on the nearby Sunday morning farmers' market in Dupont Circle.

There are normally only 4-5 vendors north of Q Street, Blanchard said. (Most of the vendors set up below Q Street.). There will be three buses on Sunday mornings, he explained: one before the market opened, and two while the market is open -- at 10:30 and 11. The buses will stop, pickup, and go. They will not linger at the pickup point. 

Blanchard said he had talked with market coordinator Maddy Beckwith of FRESHFARM Markets.

"She was not wild about it," Blanchard said.

Commissioner Vice-chair Mike Feldstein urged Blanchard to contact the market again about the proposal.

Funds to Maintain Park

Assuming the application goes through, Washington Deluxe Bus has pledged funds to Historic Dupont Main Streets to renovate and maintain the small triangular park.

Commissioner Mike Silverstein (district 06) remarked that it sometimes snows in Washington. When that happens, the sidewalks around triangular parks often remain icy for weeks. However, if this money is in place, the sidewalks around the triangular park will be shovelled regularly.

The public space application of Washington Deluxe Bus now moves to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for approval. DDOT has informally indicated that they find this arrangement acceptable.

The vote was unanimous, 8-0. Commissioner Noah Smith (district 09) was absent from the entire meeting due to work obligations.

DC2NY stays put

The ANC voted to support the renewal application for a DDOT public space permit for DC2NY bus company. For several years, the company has been picking up passengers along Massachusetts Avenue next to 9 Dupont Circle, and seeks to continue this arrangement. There seemed to be no problems or complaints about DC2NY.

The vote was unanimous, 6-0. Two Commissioners were out of the room at the time of the vote.