Councilman Allen Optimistic About Streetcar Service Beginning This Year

Councilman Charles Allen of Ward 6 said last night he is “hopeful” that streetcars on H Street and Benning Road NE will start picking up passengers before 2016.

Allen, whose ward includes the H Street corridor, told Hill Now that he regularly sees crews testing the streetcars and the vehicles appear ready to take the public for rides soon. But he said passenger service this year isn’t certain.

“It’s certainly my hope that it’s open by the end of the year,” said Allen, who has fought to keep the streetcar project on track.

Last month, Bowser suggested that the streetcars will start ferrying the public down H Street and Benning Road this year, saying she’ll take the streetcar during the first year of her administration, Washington City Paper reported.

The District started installing streetcar tracks in 2009.