Fairfax Connector | FFXnow

Rider feedback sought on Fairfax Connector changes in Reston and Springfield

Published November 12, 2024 at 1:15PM

A Fairfax Connector bus leaves the Reston Town Center Transit Station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is planning more service changes for Fairfax Connector, specifically in the Reston, Herndon, Springfield and Centreville areas of the county.

Set to be discussed at two online community meetings this week, the proposals would serve to increase frequency, realign some service and add a new Route 652. Planned for elimination is Route 599, a rush-hour express service that runs between Reston and the Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City areas of Arlington.

News

Fairfax Connector sets launch date for Tysons-Bethesda express bus

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 5, 2024 at 10:15AM

Fairfax Connector will offer express bus service from Tysons to Bethesda with a new Route 798 (via FCDOT)

Fairfax Connector will roll out some notable service changes later this month, including the launch of its first-ever direct connection to Montgomery County in Maryland.

The new Express Route 789 between Tysons and Bethesda will begin operating on Sept. 16, providing weekday, rush-hour service to five stops using the Capital Beltway (I-495) and American Legion Bridge.

News

New Springfield commuter parking garage set to open next week

By James Jarvis

Published September 4, 2024 at 11:00AM

The new Springfield Community Business Center Parking Garage (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County’s new $58.38 million commuter parking garage in Springfield is now complete and will open to commuters starting next week.

A ribbon-cutting for the six-level facility at 7039 Old Keene Mill Road is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m., with the garage officially opening to the public on Saturday, Sept. 14, per a Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) release.

News

New Tysons-Bethesda bus service coming soon to I-495

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 19, 2024 at 1:30PM

Traffic passes construction on I-495 near the Georgetown Pike exit in McLean on March 30, 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Commuters will soon get the option to travel directly between Virginia and Maryland’s most populous counties by bus, though the initial journey likely won’t be swift.

Fairfax County will receive $2 million from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to provide Fairfax Connector bus service between the Tysons West Park Transit Station (8300 Jones Branch Drive) and the Bethesda Metro station (7450 Wisconsin Avenue) in Montgomery County.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector fares to increase for first time in seven years

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 16, 2024 at 3:30PM

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

The price of taking Fairfax Connector is officially going up.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the bus system’s first fare increase in seven years without discussion at a meeting today (Tuesday). Starting on July 29, fares will jump about 12% from $2 to $2.25 for the base rate and from $4.25 to $4.80 for express fares.

Countywide

Fairfax County secures funding to buy new hybrid Connector buses

By James Jarvis

Published July 11, 2024 at 2:30PM

A Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is set to receive close to $51 million from the federal government to buy 60 new diesel-electric hybrid Connector buses.

Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the county has been awarded over $50.5 million for the buses from the Federal Transportation Administration’s Low or No Emission Grant program, which has funded more than 1,100 buses in 47 states.

News

Monument Drive commuter garage to begin operations this Saturday

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published June 17, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus at the new Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center (via Fairfax County's Channel 16)

Commuters in the Fairfax Corner and Fair Oaks area will soon have a brand-new facility where they can park their car or bicycle before catching a bus or rideshare.

The Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage will become operational this Saturday, June 22, following a ribbon cutting on Thursday (June 20), according to a Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) spokesperson.

Countywide

County requests federal funding for hybrid and diesel Fairfax Connector buses

By James Jarvis

Published May 17, 2024 at 11:30AM

Fairfax Connector (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the green light to apply for a federal grant to replace dozens of buses in its Fairfax Connector fleet.

However, none of the new buses will be all-electric, despite the county’s earlier pledges to electrify its fleet of vehicles.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector proposes bus service changes, fare hike

By Jamie Rogers

Published May 16, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 10, 2024 at 4:45PM

The side of a Fairfax Connector bus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector is gathering public input on a plan to adjust bus service while increasing fares by 12.5%.

The Connector is increasing its base fare from $2 to $2.25 and express fares from $4.25 to $4.80 to match Metrobus fares, which will increase in an effort by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to address a budget shortfall.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax Connector strike ends as union members approve new contract

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2024 at 8:40PM | Updated March 6, 2024 at 9:47PM

Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 strike outside the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Updated at 9:45 p.m. on 3/6/2024 — Fairfax Connector workers with ATU Local 689 voted today (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending a 15-day strike, the union announced.

The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8), according to Transdev and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.