
The DC Streetcar is a great example of why privatization of public transportation does not work. When private corporations take over public services, the public good comes second, and the Streetcar proves it.
Back in 2012, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) outsourced the daily operations of the streetcar to the French Company RDMT/McDonald Transit, which was awarded a five-year $22 million contract of DC tax payer dollars. According to the contract between DDOT and RDMT/Mcdonald Transit, the Streetcar was supposed to open for service in 2013. Then the date was moved to the beginning of 2014...Then November of 2014…Then the beginning of 2015. Now, no one knows when it is opening and some are estimating it may not open before the late spring of 2016 or not at all!
Back in 2012, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) outsourced the daily operations of the streetcar to the French Company RDMT/McDonald Transit, which was awarded a five-year $22 million contract of DC tax payer dollars. According to the contract between DDOT and RDMT/Mcdonald Transit, the Streetcar was supposed to open for service in 2013. Then the date was moved to the beginning of 2014...Then November of 2014…Then the beginning of 2015. Now, no one knows when it is opening and some are estimating it may not open before the late spring of 2016 or not at all!