bus | FFXnow - Part 14

Published March 23, 2022 at 10:30AM

The planned Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit system will extend from Tysons to Alexandria (via NVTC)

Fairfax County officials have not ruled out the possibility of incorporating pull-off areas on Route 7 for the bus rapid transit (BRT) system planned along the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.

Areas for buses to pull off or pass each other would let the road accommodate an express service for riders who want to get from one end of the route to the other without having to make every stop in between, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed at the county Board of Supervisors’ meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

EPA leader touts electric school buses in visit to Vienna elementary school

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 15, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 1:58PM

EPA Administrator Michael Regan tours an electric school bus on display at Flint Hill Elementary School in Fairfax County (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Flint Hill Elementary School students let their green flag fly during a visit yesterday (Monday) from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan.

Invited by the environmental advocacy groups Mothers Out Front and Moms Clean Air Force, Regan stopped by the Vienna school to discuss the federal government’s plans to expand the use of electric school buses over diesel ones, a transition that he said Fairfax County Public Schools is helping lead.

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Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated July 5, 2022 at 6:35PM

Townhouses on Lake Audubon in Reston (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Man Charged With Assault on Police Officer — “Yesterday, Michael Vaughn, 34, was charged with five felonies and two misdemeanor charges stemming from the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 15 in 8300 block of Fitt Court in Lorton. He remains held at the Adult Detention Center without bond.” [FCPD/Twitter]

FCPS to End Virtual Learning This Year — With vaccines now available for school-age children, Fairfax County Public Schools will discontinue a limited virtual program for students with medical concerns due to the pandemic. At-home instruction will only be for students with significant health risks that prevent them from attending school in-person after this academic year. [FCPS]

Countywide

Big residential project approved for Penn Daw area as part of revitalization push

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 28, 2022 at 11:15AM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 1:57PM

A major residential project is coming to the Penn Daw area (Image via handout/Fairfax County Government)

A major residential project by Lennar Corp. that has been years in the making has been approved for the Penn Daw area.

The owners of the 7.4-acre property — which has 16 parcels owned by Penn Daw Properties and Michael Strassburg — hope to redevelop five single-family homes and a commercial building with up to 46 stacked townhouses, 35 townhouses and a 385-unit apartment building that would stand up to seven stories tall.

Countywide

Name for Route 1 bus rapid transit service unveiled

By David Taube

Published February 25, 2022 at 12:45PM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and other officials unveil a new name and logo for an upcoming rapid bus transit service for Route 1 (staff photo by David Taube)

Fairfax County has a new name for the dedicated bus service it is planning for Richmond Highway: The One.

Transit officials revealed the name today (Friday) at a branding event for the bus rapid transit (BRT) service, which will operate starting in 2030 using new lanes separated by a grass median.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector route changes for Reston and Herndon approved

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 23, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated February 23, 2022 at 4:03PM

Fairfax County Connector in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As phase two of the Silver Line nears completion, Fairfax County is adapting other transportation options to accommodate the new service.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal yesterday (Tuesday) to update Fairfax Connector bus routes in Reston and Herndon. The changes will maximize efficiency and the number of riders, according to board chair Jeff McKay.

News

Transit advocates call on Metro to resume efforts to improve bus routes

By David Taube

Published February 16, 2022 at 2:00PM

A Metrobus at the West Falls Church Metro station (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Public bus lines might seem fixed to bus shelters, but changing those routes could give people greater access to jobs, medical services, and more.

That’s one way that bus networks in the D.C. area could be improved, a consultant told transportation stakeholders during a virtual “Bus Champions” roundtable held yesterday (Tuesday) by MetroNow, a conglomeration of commerce and transit advocacy groups.

Countywide

County fire department investigates charter bus fires in Lorton

By Alan Henney

Published February 7, 2022 at 11:30AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue engine (file photo)

Fairfax County fire investigators are trying to determine how four charter buses caught fire Friday evening at a lot in Lorton.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson Ashley Hildebrandt says the fire was reported around 7:30 p.m. at 8025 Mims Street.

News

Fairfax County preparing to halve bus fares for low-income riders

By David Taube

Published December 17, 2021 at 2:00PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:53PM

A Fairfax County bus driver waits for the next segment of his route (Staff photo by David Taube)

Changes to Virginia’s gas tax and transit fees will eventually bring savings to Fairfax County bus riders facing financial hardships.

Customized Fairfax Connector bus passes will cut fares in half for low-income riders with a new program that might begin this coming summer, county staff told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a transportation committee meeting on Tuesday (Dec. 14).

News

FCPS gives bus drivers a pay bump, reports surge in demand for cafeteria food

By David Taube

Published September 28, 2021 at 2:00PM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 1:57PM

Students with Fairfax County Public Schools get onto a bus (via FCPS)

Over a month into the current school year, Fairfax County Public Schools is grappling with two key issues: how to recruit and retain staff, especially in special education and transportation, and how to feed students.

FCPS officials have said shortages in those areas are affecting the rest of the country, while supply chain issues have resulted in more students getting fewer choices to pick from in school cafeterias, thanks in part to free meals becoming available to all students.