bus | FFXnow - Part 4

FCDOT credits Monument Drive transit center with jump in I-66 bus ridership

Published May 15, 2025 at 3:45PM

Monument Drive Transit Center (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Monument Drive Transit Center is a fairly grandiose name for what’s basically a large parking garage and bus stop, but as the facility approaches its one-year anniversary, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation credits the facility for an uptick in bus ridership along I-66.

The $43 million facility launched at 12113 Government Center Parkway near Fairfax Corner last June with 820 free parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, a secure bike room and bike racks. It connects to a large roundabout for buses that serve 13 Fairfax Connector routes and two Metrobus routes.

News

Richmond Highway BRT, other bus lines set to receive regional transit funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 5, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 5, 2025 at 2:03PM

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’s plan to finance a nearly billion-dollar bus rapid transit (BRT) network along Richmond Highway is about to get another boost.

In June, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is expected to support an additional $10 million in funding for the project. It would be the second installment in a $20 million promise to help the county finance the new bus system.

News

More funding accepted to support Richmond Highway bus rapid transit

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 28, 2025 at 1:15PM

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)

Plans for the nearly billion-dollar planned bus rapid transit (BRT) project in the Richmond Highway corridor took another step forward at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 22.

The supervisors formally accepted $47.7 million in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) in support of the project, which is currently estimated to cost $979 million. The money will come from the Commonwealth’s “Smart Scale” funding pool.

Countywide

D.C.-area transit task force pumps brakes on suggested local bus systems merger

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 31, 2025 at 11:15AM

Fairfax Connector bus to Oakton (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Finding better ways for bus networks across Northern Virginia to better collaborate seems to be a priority for local representatives on the DMV Moves task force.

However, the possibility of consolidating the disparate systems into one appeared to be a non-starter, especially for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.

Countywide

Fairfax County to enforce school bus passing violations with cameras, starting this spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 11, 2025 at 9:00AM

The stop arm on a Fairfax County school bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

More than a decade after it started exploring a program, Fairfax County is finally ready to introduce school bus cameras designed to catch illegally passing drivers.

The county government and Fairfax County Public Schools will install stop-arm camera systems on 50 buses for the program’s initial launch, which will begin with a 30-day warning period on April 9.

Countywide

Metro revises passenger, revenue projections upward for next budget

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 4, 2025 at 11:45AM

Electronic display shows a system map at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A ridership revival has led to a $20 million increase in projected revenue from Metro passengers in the coming fiscal year.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) released new budget forecasts last week that now anticipate $464 million in passenger revenue for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1.

News

Fairfax mulls providing free Metrobus rides to more high school students

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 26, 2025 at 9:00AM

A Metrobus at the Tysons Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County transportation planners are considering enabling more secondary schools to participate in a program giving students free Metrobus rides in Northern Virginia.

Five schools have been identified as potential expansion sites to the program, which already is in place at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church and George C. Marshall high schools and the Davis Center.

News

More demolitions planned along Richmond Highway as Bus Rapid Transit project ramps up

By James Jarvis

Published January 24, 2025 at 1:15PM

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 is ramping up property demolitions in anticipation of its long-planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along Richmond Highway.

Transportation officials shared during an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15 that nine buildings have already been cleared to make way for the project. Another 21 demolitions are scheduled by the end of 2025 as the county works to prepare the corridor for utility relocations in 2026 and eventual construction in 2028.

Countywide

See how snow amounts from Monday’s storm varied across Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 7, 2025 at 10:45AM | Updated January 7, 2025 at 11:09AM

Snow covers a fire hydrant on Park Street in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Snowfall estimates from yesterday’s storm are in, suggesting experiences varied drastically across Fairfax County.

On the low end, residents in the northwestern area of the county, including Herndon, saw approximately 5.9 to 6.1 inches of snow, based on unofficial observations reported at 4:39 a.m. by the National Weather Service.

Countywide

FCPS wins funds to replace more school buses with electric models

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 17, 2024 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County Public Schools electric school buses parked at charging stations (via FCPS/YouTube)

A new federal grant will enable Fairfax County Public Schools to upgrade more than three dozen school buses to more environmentally friendly models.

Virginia’s largest public school system will receive $12.9 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program — enough to replace 43 buses with electric or zero-emission vehicles, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced last week.