bus | FFXnow - Part 8

Published February 27, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated February 27, 2024 at 10:32AM

Fairfax Connector buses parked at the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) Fairfax Connector is now in its sixth consecutive day without service, as workers continue their strike for better pay, benefits and working conditions.

More than 600 bus drivers and mechanics ceased working last Thursday (Feb. 22) when their union — Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 — called for a strike after months of negotiations with Transdev, the private company that operates Fairfax Connector, for a new labor contract to replace one that expired on Nov. 30.

Countywide

FCPS pushes forward with plan to push back middle school start times

By Acacia James

Published February 26, 2024 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools bus on the road (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is moving ahead with its plan to change middle school start times.

According to Fairfax County Public Schools, research has shown that later start times could positively influence student academic performance and mental and emotional well-being.

Countywide

Striking Fairfax Connector workers demand better benefits and support from contractor

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated February 23, 2024 at 3:54PM

Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 are on strike (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 3:55 p.m. — Fairfax Connector service will stay suspended at least through this weekend (Feb. 24-25) as drivers and mechanics continue their strike, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation has announced.

FCDOT says it “expects negotiations to continue in good faith with the goal of completing a new contract very soon.”

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax Connector suspends bus service as workers go on strike

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 22, 2024 at 2:20AM | Updated February 22, 2024 at 11:37AM

Fairfax Connector bus on Spring Hill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) Fairfax Connector workers have launched a strike after months of negotiations for a new labor contract with Transdev, the company that operates Fairfax County’s bus service.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, which represents about 638 bus operators and mechanics for Fairfax Connector, announced the strike just after midnight today (Thursday). Workers began hitting picket lines at garages in Herndon, Lorton and on West Ox Road in the Fairfax area at 2 a.m.

Countywide

JUST IN: FCPS calls off classes on Tuesday, Fairfax Connector reduces service due to snow

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 15, 2024 at 7:15PM

A man and kids walk in the snow past Appletree preschool in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is using up its first snow day of the year, canceling all classes and other activities on school grounds tomorrow (Tuesday) as flurries continue to blanket the D.C. area.

Affected activities include extracurricular programs, sports practices, field trips, outside recreation classes, adult education classes and the School Age Child Care (SACC) centers.

Countywide

FCPS wins $16M federal grant to buy more electric school buses

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2024 at 9:30AM

An electric school bus on display at Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County Public Schools will more than double the number of electric buses in its fleet, thanks to a new federal grant.

The local school system has been awarded $16.59 million as a winner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Clean School Bus program grants competition. The other winner announced yesterday (Monday) was also from Virginia: Newport News Public Schools will receive $525,000.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector workers authorize strike as contract negotiations continue

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 3:59PM

Fairfax Connector bus (file photo)

(Updated at 4 p.m.) Hundreds of Fairfax Connector workers could strike if contract talks between their union and employer break down.

Nearly a month after the end of their existing contract with Transdev, which operates Fairfax County’s public bus system, union drivers, mechanics and other employees voted on Dec. 29 to authorize a strike, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 announced yesterday.

News

County board seeks answers on uncertain timeline for Route 7 bus rapid transit

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 14, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated June 24, 2024 at 6:29PM

Bus shelters at the Spring Hill Metro station, which will be the northern terminus of the planned Route 7 bus rapid transit system (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 9:25 a.m. on 12/15/2023) The long-running effort to bring bus rapid transit (BRT) service to Route 7 is about to enter a new stage of planning, but for some Fairfax County leaders, the milestone doubles as a reminder of how much more still needs to be done to turn Northern Virginia’s vision into a reality.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement at its Dec. 5 meeting to help fund an engineering study and environmental analysis required to implement the bus system, which will serve the corridor from the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons to the Mark Center in Alexandria.

News

NOW: Pedestrian hit by Metrobus on Little River Turnpike, seriously injured

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2023 at 11:40PM

Eastbound Little River Turnpike is closed at Hummer Road after a Metrobus driver reportedly hit a pedestrian (via Google Maps)

A woman suffered serious injuries earlier this evening (Monday) when she was apparently hit by a Metrobus on Little River Turnpike.

“Officers are investigating a bus crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Little River [Turnpike] and Hummer [Road] in Annandale,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. “The pedestrian, an adult female, was transported in life-threatening condition.”

Countywide

Winterfest to bring Santa, free cookies to Fairfax County Government Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 29, 2023 at 3:30PM

Fairfax Connector has unveiled three holiday bus wraps, including one featuring cookies (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Transportation)

Fairfax Connector will pull into the Fairfax County Government Center soon for its first-ever Winterfest.

Space is quickly disappearing for the public bus system’s holiday event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 in parking lot B of the government center (12000 Government Center Parkway).