In anticipation of the return of streetcars to the nation’s capital, the District DOT (DDOT) recently held a community open house at the DC Streetcar Testing and Commissioning Site in Southeast Washington. About 200 guests attended the event, where they could view and touch the three new vehicles manufactured by the Inekon Group in the Czech Republic. Each 66-foot-long modern streetcar can carry up to 156 passengers, uses 750 volts direct current, and can operate at speeds up to 30 mph. DDOT will own and manage the system and RATP Dev McDonald Transit, under the leadership of General Manager Louis Brusati and his team, will operate and maintain it.