The DC Streetcar, packed with transportation reporters, made a successful test run up and down H St., Northeast, Friday afternoon apparently without incident, a strong omen for the long-anticipated light rail’s public debut this weekend.
Although Washingtonian was not able to attend the preview ride, fortuitous scheduling allowed one of the magazine’s reporters to greet the trolley as it crawled up the Hopscotch Bridge behind Union Station at the western end of the 2.2-mile line. On board, the passengers appeared to do what media professionals do when there is nothing else going on: post photos and videos of each other on Twitter.
Much of dc media is out here waiting on the streetcar. But you can’t rush the streetcar. pic.twitter.com/aUnMy5SykO
— Rachel Sadon (@Rachel_Sadon) February 26, 2016
On board @DCStreetcar pic.twitter.com/ntv6h1qoMI
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) February 26, 2016
Streetcar offers awkward “make a new friend” seats. pic.twitter.com/heriMV6BZA
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) February 26, 2016
C’mon, man. pic.twitter.com/U7dLeVmLHr
— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) February 26, 2016
After more than a decade of development, $200 million spent, numerous botched launch dates, and four mayors and a half-dozen transportation directors vexed, the DC Streetcar will make its first public ride shortly after 10 AM Saturday. We’re pretty sure.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
