The new DC Circulator bus is a functional advertisement for hipster mass transit. (Just in case you didn't get the message, the destination signs always flash Try Transit.) The interior of the bus is cushy and spacious compared to a regular Metro bus, plus these rides have spiffy paint jobs and shiny rims.

This bus route is designed for people who want to go out and about, not just to work. When I first saw it, I thought Wow, here comes the party bus, but unfortunately, it only operates until 9PM. On the bright side, it's scheduled to arrive at each stop every 5-10 minutes, and it only costs one dollar per ride (compared to $1.25 for a Metro bus ride).

And another message that the Circulator (which is sponsored by both the DDOT and WMATA) promotes is getting out and about in DC. Picture this: You're leaving your downtown office on a beautiful Friday afternoon and about to go underground for an upleasantly damp, shoulder-to-shoulder, and awkwardly silent ride on Metro rail. (And don't forget that message about unattended bags. You can still hear it in your head as you nod off to sleep at night.) Suddenly a big, shiny red bus rolls by -- destination: Georgetown.

Maybe you'll pop on in?