For Immediate Release
December 18, 2020

Fairfax Connector, the largest local bus system in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will resume fare collection and front door boarding on all routes starting Monday, January 4, 2021. Fare collection on all Fairfax Connector routes was suspended in March 2020 due to COVID-19 safety protocols requiring rear door boarding.

To protect the health and safety of passengers and bus operators as front door boarding resumes, polycarbonate driver shields (pictured at right) have been installed in the buses.

Fairfax Connector passengers are reminded that wearing a face covering while in the bus continues to be mandatory. Since May 2020, Fairfax Connector staff have distributed 66,000 face coverings to passengers who did not have one.

Passengers are also reminded that the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to follow the below recommendations from public health officials: 

• Practice social distancing (keep six feet apart when possible).
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick. 

To ensure a safer environment for both passengers and operators aboard Fairfax Connector buses, Fairfax Connector operations contractor Transdev continues to: 

• Follow cleaning and disinfecting guidance from public health officials.
• Enhance vehicle cleaning and disinfecting cycles on bus interiors and critical touch points, such as door handles, handrails and other surfaces.
• Keep employees informed about the disease and guidance to prevent the spread of illness. 

New and Enhanced Service to Launch Monday, January 4, 2021

Routes 462 and 467 - Dunn Loring - Navy Federal - Tysons 

With the planned opening of the new Cedar Lane Bridge over I-66, Fairfax Connector routes 462 and 467 will return to their previous routing and schedules with the addition of Sunday service on route 467 due to increased passenger demand. 

Route 350 - Springfield Business Circulator 

This new Fairfax Connector service replaces former TAGS S80 and S91 service operated by Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA/Metrobus).

• Rush-hour service:
  • Fare: FREE - Between Franconia-Springfield Transportation Center and Metro Park.
  • Fare: $0.50 - Between Franconia-Springfield Transportation Center, Springfield Town Center and the Hilton Springfield.
• Midday service:
  • Fare: FREE - Between Franconia-Springfield Transportation Center, Franconia-Springfield Metrorail and VRE Station, TSA Headquarters, NVCC Medical Education Campus, and Springfield Town Center.  

Route 351 – Springfield Business Circulator 

This new Fairfax Connector service provides a link that the existing TAGS routes did not offer.

• Rush-hour express service:
  • Fare: FREE - Between Franconia-Springfield Transportation Center, TSA Headquarters, and the NVCC Medical Education Campus.  

Stay Connected with Fairfax Connector  

• To receive notifications for your bus route, sign up for BusTracker email or text alerts
• Visit www.fairfaxconnector.com
• Call 703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608 (Mon.-Fri., 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.)
• Email us at Fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Follow Fairfax Connector on Twitter or Facebook  

 Ways to Stay Informed About COVID-19 

• Call the Health Dept. Call Center-703-267-3511, M-F: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., SAT-SUN: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Text FFXCOVID to 888777 for updates; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.
• Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov, M-F: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• Visit the county’s one-stop online coronavirus web portal for information.
• Learn more about COVID-19 on the Health Department Coronavirus (COVID-19) Webpage or FAQ page.
• Follow the Fairfax County Government Facebook Page and Health Department Facebook Page.
• Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.   

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