As the final hours of 2014 draw to a close, D.C. streetcar leaders had hoped the system would be open to the public before the clock strikes midnight.
Years of delays have plagued the unopened streetcar line along H Street NE. D.C. Department of Transportation representatives met with safety officials late Tuesday afternoon to determine if the streetcar could be up and running in 2014, but News4's Adam Tuss reported the system will not open until 2015.
Wednesday afternoon, with just hours left in the mayor's office, Vincent Gray announced the streetcar will be ready for passenger use the week of Jan. 19, 2015.
"While we know the first day of service is going to be a great day for District residents, we don't want to rush for the sake of rushing," Gray said in a statement.
"It's been like that for a while. They have been doing tests for the last two months, so if it's tomorrow, that's a big day. I'll wait til that happens," Joe Chan said.
"They've been saying that for years. I would say, hopefully within the next three weeks, I would imagine, they would probably finalize everything," D.C. resident Alex Dahms said.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Once the streetcar is up and running, how much should you plan to pay up?
A source with direct knowledge of the system told Tuss rides will likely be free at the start to get riders used to the system.
"Free is always better!" Chan said.
