WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 gathered outside the John A. Wilson Building on Monday morning, urging Mayor Muriel Bowser and city leaders to assist them in securing new jobs within Metro.
“We were told a plan was forthcoming within the week, but then the end of the week became the end of the following week,” a speaker from ATU Local 689 said to the crowd gathered outside the mayor’s office.
Workers are calling for a smooth transition from D.C.’s Circulator bus service to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) metro system.
“Show us the plan, show us a clear timeline,” a speaker added.
Union members told WUSA9 they expect to be laid off by Sept. 30, as the Circulator service begins to phase out routes gradually. The complete elimination of the service is set for Dec. 31, affecting approximately 200 workers.
Some employees, like Quintin Estep, are concerned about losing their seniority. Estep has been a Circulator bus operator for 15 years.
“Well, that’s what the discussion is going to be about—what the mayor, management, and the 689 union are going to work out,” Estep said.
Mayor Bowser’s administration proposed cutting the service due to a budget shortfall in the District’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Financial Plan.
Affected routes include popular lines such as the Rosslyn-Dupont Circle route and the late-night service on the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan and Georgetown-Union Station routes.
“The problem is they’re building all these new apartments, but they’re taking away the Circulator, which we depend on,” said Alice Scales, a senior resident living in Southwest D.C. “You have older people who rely on the Circulator to get to different places.”
Metrobus has announced expanded service to compensate for some of the Circulator cuts, but councilmembers are pledging to push the mayor to take further action.
“We’re going to keep working,” said Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.
Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, who represents Adams Morgan, also spoke to the crowd, emphasizing the mayor’s role in resolving the issue.
“We need the mayor to demand alongside the council that you all can walk on the red carpet and slide right into those new jobs while keeping your seniority, benefits, and pay,” Nadeau said.
WUSA9 has reached out to the mayor’s office, and in contact with DDOT for comment and will update as more information becomes available.