Some Fairfax Connector riders may now be able to ride free, thanks to help from new state funding, the county bus system announced last Thursday (Aug. 27).
The Connector will offer a new Transit Ridership Incentive Program, called TRIP100, offering 100% off fares to eligible riders, up from the 50% discount previously provided.
The program is funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
According to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, participants must meet one of the following requirements:
- Be 50 years of age or older, with an annual income of $50,000 or less per individual
- Have an annual income of $32,805, or 225% of Federal Poverty Limit for an individual, 50 years of age or younger
- Be a registered user of MetroAccess
- Receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance
- Receive assistance services and have a caseworker through another Fairfax County agency or organization
“TRIP100 is part of Fairfax County’s ongoing efforts to expand access to public transportation for those in need,” Kala Berry, the Trip100 program manager, said in a press release. “Programs like TRIP100 make it easier for eligible residents to use Fairfax Connector for work, appointments, and other daily trips with the goal of helping individuals and families get back on their feet.”
People meeting the criteria for Trip100 can now apply online. Fairfax Connector is also working on phasing out the old system for existing TRIP customers, who can ride free during the transition period by showing their card to the bus operator.
County leaders had discussed potentially eliminating bus fares back in 2021 after temporarily suspending collections during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fairfax Connector also offers free bus passes to students, a program started in 2015.
While some jurisdictions went forward with fare-free policies, including Fairfax City for its CUE buses and Alexandria City’s DASH buses, Fairfax County decided to instead halve fares for low-income riders out of concern that fully forgoing fares could raise financial challenges down the road.
The new TRIP100 program is one of two big announcements that Fairfax Connector made last week.
FCDOT also shared that 19 next-generation hybrid-electric buses are being added to the Connector fleet in an effort to modernize the buses and reduce emissions. The buses, which were purchased at a cost of $1.1 million each, were purchased through state funding.
The improved service and modernization comes just a couple months after the Connector discontinued two low-ridership routes and reduced service on more than a dozen others in a move to trim $7.3 million in costs. Funding for the routes came from the county, not the state, and service was said to have outpaced demand on those routes.
The funding cut was approved by the Board of Supervisors as part of the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which took effect on July 1.
