Fairfax Connector | FFXnow

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Union for Fairfax Connector workers blasts pay proposal as contract nears expiration

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2023 at 10:15AM

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

Fairfax Connector’s operator and workers remain far apart in their negotiations for a new labor contract, says the union representing drivers and other employees of Northern Virginia’s largest public bus system.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 accused contractor Transdev of “clearly not [being] serious about bargaining in good faith” in a strongly worded statement issued last Wednesday (Nov. 22), just before Thanksgiving.

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Fairfax Connector workers seek pay raise, better sick leave in new contract

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 24, 2023 at 10:15AM

A Fairfax Connector bus near the Dunn Loring Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Negotiations over pay, benefits and working conditions are underway for hundreds of Fairfax Connector employees.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 presented an initial proposal on Oct. 13 for a contract that would cover 546 members who work for Fairfax County’s bus system to Transdev, the company that operates the transit service, the union said in a press release yesterday (Monday).

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Fairfax Connector’s first electric buses hit the road, with more on the way

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 2, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Fairfax Connector bus fleet has a growing number of electric buses (courtesy FCDOT)

Electric buses have at last joined Northern Virginia’s largest local bus fleet.

Fairfax Connector launched the eight battery-powered vehicles out of its West Ox Operations and Maintenance Center (4970 Alliance Drive) at 10:30 a.m. last Thursday (Sept. 28), a critical first step forward in the transit system’s plan to phase out diesel or gas-fueled buses.

Countywide

Fairfax Connector proposes new bus service in I-66 corridor using future parking garages

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 22, 2023 at 3:00PM

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

Fairfax Connector is shaking up its service along the I-66 corridor in anticipation of two major parking facilities finishing construction later this year.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has proposed adding or revising almost 30 routes in Tysons, Vienna, Springfield, Chantilly and Centreville, as it seeks to incorporate the upcoming Springfield and Monument Drive garages into its bus system.