bus | FFXnow

FCDOT seeks input on bus route changes in Springfield area, including new Tysons service

Published September 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus passes Springfield Plaza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector, CUE see drops in ridership despite broader N. Va. transit growth

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 9, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 10, 2026 at 11:13AM

A Fairfax Connector bus on Scotts Crossing Road in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local bus networks serving both Fairfax County and Fairfax City posted year-over-year passenger declines in fiscal year 2026, even as transit usage increased more broadly across Northern Virginia.

Fairfax Connector saw a drop of 1.1% and Fairfax City’s CUE service was down 4.5%, according to data from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as analyzed by FFXnow.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector launches free fare program, increasing help for some lower-income riders

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published August 31, 2026 at 9:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus on International Drive at Chain Bridge Road in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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.

News

Fairfax Connector is adding more hybrid-electric buses to its fleet

By Acacia James

Published August 27, 2026 at 10:00AM

A hybrid-electric Fairfax Connector bus (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Transportation)

Fairfax County is expanding the use of electric and hybrid-electric buses in Fairfax Connector in an effort to reduce emissions and “modernize” its transit fleet.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) announced this week that 19 new next-generation hybrid-electric buses are being added, advancing a goal to transition nearly a quarter of the fleet to the technology by the end of the year.

News

In time for school year, food bank’s new bus starts serving hot meals to Fairfax children

By Beth Lawton

Published August 21, 2026 at 3:45PM

Capital Area Food Bank's new Mobile Meals bus (photo by Beth Lawton)

To help kids in Fairfax County fight hunger after school, a colorfully painted school bus is visiting their neighborhoods in the evenings.

The nonprofit Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) hosted an event yesterday evening in Hybla Valley to debut a brand-new, converted school bus that delivers free after-school meals to local kids.

News

BREAKING: Pedestrian killed in Metrobus crash in Bailey’s Crossroads

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 16, 2026 at 10:40PM

Police respond to a fatal pedestrian crash involving a Metrobus at Columbia Pike and Carlin Springs Road in Bailey's Crossroads (courtesy Dave Statter/X)

A pedestrian was killed earlier this evening (Sunday) after being struck by a Metrobus in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to Columbia Pike at Carlin Springs Road at around 8:34 p.m. for a crash involving a trapped pedestrian, according to scanner traffic.

Countywide

FCPS to roll out new student ID cards for school bus tech upgrades

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 23, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools Bus Driver Supervisor Lei Shi demonstrates how students will check in with their ID card (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools’ integration of technology into its operations will extend to its transportation system in the coming academic year.

New identification cards that can be used to track when students get on and off a school bus will be rolled out across the division when the 2026-2027 school year starts on Aug. 24, FCPS announced on Tuesday (July 21).

News

McKay: Route 1 BRT remains on track despite less-than-requested regional funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 14, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated July 14, 2026 at 11:55AM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County will receive less regional funding than desired for its planned Richmond Highway (Route 1) Bus Rapid Transit system, but a top elected official says that won’t derail the nearly billion-dollar effort.

The county government submitted a request for $463 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) to support the proposal.

News

Route 7 bus riders want to retain curbside stops when rapid transit arrives

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 8, 2026 at 8:30AM

Overview of Envision Route 7 project (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Most bus riders along portions of Route 7 seem skeptical of placing future transit stops in the center of the busy roadway, but local leaders at least want the option considered before being discarded.

A recent survey of riders along the portion of the bus rapid transit (BRT) line proposed to connect Tysons to Alexandria found 60% preferred retaining curbside stops. The remainder were split between moving to center-of-the-road stops or having no opinion.

Countywide

Lawmakers weigh merging Northern Virginia transit agencies to cut costs

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published June 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

A Fairfax Connector bus in Reston Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia lawmakers want to examine consolidating Northern Virginia’s transit agencies to assess potential cost savings and service improvements.

The proposal, which is included in the two-year budget lawmakers passed Monday, directs the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to include in its report not only the cost savings and long-term financial impacts of merging multiple systems, but also how potential changes would affect riders through fare structures, service reliability and accessibility.