transit | FFXnow

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

DMV Moves task force might not deliver specific recommendations for future transit funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 8, 2025 at 3:45PM

Metro logo (file photo)

A task force empaneled to look at strategies for making transit service in the D.C. region sustainable long-term might not, in the end, deliver specific recommendations on a funding mechanism.

“It is, at this time, I think, still up in the air,” Nick Donohue, a staff facilitator for the DMV Moves task force, told the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Board of Directors last Thursday (April 3).

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

Metro can soon start banning those arrested for assaults, sex crimes on its property

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 28, 2025 at 11:15AM

The Metro Transit Police Department (file photo)

Metro is following through on plans to prohibit people alleged to have committed serious infractions on its property from returning.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors voted 8-0 yesterday (Thursday) to approve a new policy allowing the transit agency to issue citations banning individuals arrested for assault or sex-related crimes from its system.

Countywide

Regional transit funding task force mostly pessimistic on possibility of future Metrorail expansion

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 27, 2025 at 9:00AM

An Orange Line train pulls into the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

For the immediate future at least, further expansion of rail lines across the D.C. region is likely to take a back seat to more modest upgrades to transit service moving forward.

That seemed to be a consensus, albeit not a unanimous one, as members of the regional DMV Moves task force met Monday (March 24) to narrow options for improving the area’s transit — and paying for a Metro system that’s now estimated to cost between $450 million and $600 million more per year.

News

New fire station and transit facility for Tysons area wins final approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2025 at 1:15PM

Rendering of planned Fire Station 29 in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

A modern fire station to serve the growing Tysons area won the approval of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (March 18).

“This is really an incredible facility. It’s beautiful,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said after the 9-0 vote that ended a lengthy process getting to the approval stage.

Countywide

More clarity on funding options for Metro and other transit expected this month

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 13, 2025 at 9:00AM

Metrobus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

By the end of this month, local residents should have a better idea of options on the table, as regional leaders attempt to find dedicated funding streams for transit service in the D.C. area.

“We do expect information to be shared” at the next meeting of the DMV Moves task force, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Executive Director Kate Mattice told the commission’s board at a meeting last Thursday (March 6).

Countywide

Cherry blossoms may boost Metro to a post-pandemic ridership high

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 11, 2025 at 3:45PM

Visitors crowd the Tidal Basin for cherry blossom season in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The D.C. region’s upcoming cherry-blossom season is expected to give Metro another boost as it continues a post-Covid rebound.

“If all goes to plan, we’re hoping for our first combined one-million-trip day since the onset of the pandemic,” Paul Smedberg, first vice president of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), said on Thursday (March 6).