Fairfax County recently launched significant changes to Fairfax Connector bus routes in the Centreville-Chantilly-Vienna-Tysons (CCVT) area. These updates, which began on June 22, are part of a larger plan to improve public transportation across the county.
Michael Felschow, transit services division planning section chief with the county’s Department of Transportation, explained the changes in a recent “County Conversation” podcast interview.
He described the project as “part of our transit strategic plan, which the board [of supervisors] approved” last year.
WHAT'S CHANGING?
The changes affect about 20 bus routes. Some key updates include:
- Merging routes to provide consistent service throughout the day and on weekends
- Creating new connections between different parts of the county
- Adjusting schedules to improve timing and frequency
- Using the new Monument Drive Commuter parking garage as a central transfer point
Felschow emphasized that these changes aim to make bus travel easier and more convenient
“We took the opportunity to turn that [Monument Drive garage] into a linchpin within the entire system,” he said.
The county decided to update bus service based on several factors:
- Feedback from riders who wanted faster, more frequent service to more destinations
- Data from “smart buses” that track where and when people get on and off
- Population and travel pattern analysis
- The opening of new transportation facilities like the I-66 express lanes
Felschow noted, “We looked at our system and said, ‘let’s see how we can make it better. How can we increase those points of accessibility and connection.’”
PLANNING PROCESS
Developing these changes was no small task. The planning process took about two years and involved:
- Multiple public meetings
- Surveys of bus riders and community members
- Detailed data analysis and modeling
- Creating and evaluating different route alternatives
“We had over 13,000 comments as part of the transit strategic plan itself,” Felschow said. “We read them and tried to accommodate each one, but it’s challenging to do that with limited resources.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
While the main Centreville-Chantilly-Vienna-Tysons service area changes are now in place, more updates are coming:
- Fine-tuning current routes based on early feedback
- Launching two new routes in December 2024
- Planning changes for other parts of the county in 2025
Felschow stressed that the work is ongoing.
“We’re always listening to the public and we’re always trying to wonder, how do we move the bar a little closer to people? How do we improve that connectivity and mobility and access and reliability?”
Felschow also encouraged more people to consider using public transit.
“We don’t need everybody on the bus, just a few more people can get on the bus. And if we do that, we can reduce congestion and improve air quality.”
FAIRFAX CONNECTOR
Fairfax Connector is the largest local bus system in the Northern Virginia region transporting approximately 26,000 passengers on more than 90 routes daily.
The Connector’s goal is to provide world class transportation service that promotes greater mobility, improves the safety of our community and enhances the quality of life for our residents.
For more information about the Centreville-Chantilly-Vienna-Tysons service area changes and Fairfax Connector bus service, visit the Fairfax Connector webpage, or contact Connector Customer Service, open 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 703-339-7200, TTY 711. You can also email fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov, or visit one of the six Connector Stores regarding the many different traveling options in the Northern Virginia region.
THE COUNTY CONVERSASTION PODCAST
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Click here to listen to past episodes of "County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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