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TextCelebrate "The Best of the Connector" During National County Government Week
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
April 15, 2004
Celebrate "The Best of the Connector" During National County Government Week
Did you know April 18 - 24 is National County Government Week? This
annual celebration of the contributions county government makes to our
everyday lives is sponsored by the National Association of Counties. The
theme this year is “Transportation: We Move America’s People and
Products,” a timely subject in a region with the third worst traffic
congestion in the country according to a recent Texas Transportation
Institute study.
During National County Government Week, the Fairfax Connector bus system
is sponsoring “The Best of the Connector” Contest, giving Fairfax
Connector riders the opportunity to nominate their favorite bus driver
for his or her good service. Riders have until noon Friday, April 16, to
submit a brief description of why their bus driver deserves to win. The
Best of the Connector winner will be announced during the week of April
18 - 24. A celebration will be held on the winning drivers’ bus the
morning of April 24 for the riders as well as the awardees. For more
details on the contest call Carol Smith, transportation marketing chief,
at 703-324-1100, TTY 703-324-1102.
The Fairfax Connector bus system is one of the Fairfax County Department
of Transportation’s major successes. In May 2003, Metro Magazine named
Fairfax Connector as one of the top ten most improved transit systems in
the United States. Metro Magazine cited the fact that Fairfax Connector
greatly surpassed its fiscal year 2002 goals by increasing ridership on
the bus system by 11.8 percent over fiscal year 2001 and reducing adverse
customer comments by 26.8 percent to 30 per 100,000 riders.
In an effort to improve bus service further, Fairfax Connector is
currently undertaking a major overhaul of bus service in the South County
corridor of the county. Fairfax Connector has been taking its plan for
improvements to the residents in the affected areas, gathering citizen
input and improving the proposed plan. Expected to be ready for
implementation in the fall of 2004, this new South County Bus Plan is an
effort to consolidate outdated routes, provide more bus service where a
critical demand exists and generally get people where they want to go
more effectively and efficiently.
A week to celebrate transportation and the contributions our county
makes to the overall mobility of the region could not come at a more
appropriate time. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently
adopted a four year transportation plan which includes improved bus
service, sidewalk and trail improvements for pedestrians, and rail
expansion to Dulles. The county has made a significant financial
commitment to transportation projects in Fairfax County, and it continues
to support other transportation services including VRE, Metrorail and
Metrobus. Major road improvements are also provided for in the Route 28
and Fairfax County Parkway projects.
While the Fairfax County Department of Transportation does not maintain
our roadways (VDOT’s responsibility), the county’s DOT is a major
contributing force in planning and developing solutions to transportation
issues of today and tomorrow. National County Government Week, April 18 -
24, is an excellent opportunity to recognize the many ways the Fairfax
County Department of Transportation improves the quality of life for all
those who live, work, travel and do business in Fairfax County.
To contact the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, call
703-324-1100, TTY 703-324-1102. For information about bus service, call
the Fairfax Connector Information Center at 703-339-7200, TTY
703-339-1608, or visit the Web site at www.fairfaxconnector.com.
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