The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is considering a number of service changes for its Fairfax Connector bus system next spring, including cutting four routes due to low ridership and adding new limited-stop service between the Tysons and Franconia-Springfield Metro stations.
In advance of the service changes, which are concentrated in the Franconia and Springfield area, FCDOT will host two virtual community information meetings: one on Sept. 23 at noon, and another on the same day at 7 p.m. Residents can also leave feedback via an online survey that will be open through Sept. 30.
“Fairfax Connector is always evaluating the efficiency of our routes and working to identify adjustments that can be made to enhance the efficiency of the county’s public transportation system and make a measurable difference for riders traveling within, around and through Fairfax County,” Kyle Davis, a transportation planner with FCDOT, said in a press release.
FCDOT summarized the changes as follows:
- Route 231: Route realignment to match ridership demand and improve connectivity.
- Route 301: Adjust span of service, route alignment and frequency to match demand and improve connectivity.
- Route 305: Adjust span of service, route alignment and frequency to match demand and improve connectivity.
- Route 306: Running time adjustment to improve reliability.
- Route 310: Adjust schedule and route alignment to improve connectivity.
- Route 321: Adjust running time and route alignment to improve connectivity.
- Route 322: Adjust running time and route alignment to improve connectivity.
- Route 341: Add mid-day service to replace route 340 off-peak service.
- Route 350: Reduction to midday service only due to low ridership.
- Route 353: Frequency adjustment to match ridership demand.
- Route 394: Running time adjustment to improve connectivity and reliability.
- Route 395: Running time adjustment to improve connectivity and reliability.
- Route 400: Add limited-stop service between Tysons and Franconia/Springfield to improve connectivity and reduce travel time.
- Route 401: Adjust schedule and frequency to meet ridership demand and reduce travel time.
- Route 402: Adjust schedule and frequency to meet ridership demand and reduce travel time.
- *Elimination of the following routes due to low ridership: 232, 340, 351, 352.
*Riders will have access to alternative Connector services to reach their destination.
FCDOT says the changes are “intended to realign existing services with ridership demand and improve reliability, connectivity and overall system efficiency for routes serving the Franconia-Springfield area of Fairfax County.”
The addition of the limited-stop connection between Tysons and Franconia-Springfield is expected to “significantly improve reliable and efficient connectivity between the Tysons and Springfield commercial centers.”
Any approved changes would take effect in April 2027.
The proposal comes just a few months after the Connector system eliminated two bus routes and reduced schedules on more than a dozen others. County supervisors hoped to trim $7.3 million in budget costs.
Ridership on the Fairfax Connector system dropped by 1.1% in fiscal year 2026, according to data from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The federal government’s seven-week shutdown last fall contributed to the dip, but most of the region’s other bus networks still showed an increase in ridership.
Virtual meeting information
Sept. 23, noon, via Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 286 692 388 616 621, Passcode: 8hD25S5W
Call the meeting: 571-429-5982; Conference ID: 846 504 732#
Sept. 23, 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 272 899 826 603 399, Passcode: BC9wi9iK
Call the meeting: 571-429-5982; Conference ID: 139 533 005#
