Fairfax Connector is celebrating a big milestone this year. Our bus system turns 40 years old on Sept. 28, marking four decades of growth and service to residents.
What started in 1985, with just 10 routes, 33 buses and 33 operators, has become one of the largest and safest bus systems in Virginia. Today, Fairfax Connector operates more than 90 routes with over 340 buses and employs more than 800 people, including drivers, mechanics and office staff.
“We’ve grown over these 40 years to one of the largest bus systems in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Kala Berry, head of marketing for Fairfax Connector. “And we’re among some of the largest in the country.”
The bus system now serves destinations across Fairfax County, as well as Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and even Loudoun County. But perhaps the most popular program is one that gives middle and high school students free rides year-round.
Students Ride Free, Creating Future Bus Riders
The student bus pass program launched in 2015 after a recommendation from the late Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. The program gives free bus passes to students in grades 7 through 12, including those in private, home-school and religious schools, as long as they live in Fairfax County.
The program started because of changes to school schedules. When Fairfax County Public Schools shifted high school start times later to help students get more sleep, they had to cut back on late buses. This made it harder for students to stay after school for sports, clubs or tutoring.
“This allowed them to access all of that,” Berry explained. “And the teachers, the counselors, the principals have told us wonderful stories about students not dropping out of high school because they don’t want to lose their pass.”
The student passes work 365 days a year from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Students can use them to get to school, go to jobs, hang out with friends or travel anywhere the buses go. Parents appreciate not having to drive their kids everywhere and students gain independence.
Since 2015, students have taken more than 4.2 million trips and are heading toward 4.4 million. Students now make up about 9% of all Fairfax Connector riders.
TRIP Program Helps Low-Income Residents
Fairfax Connector also runs the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP). This program helps people at or below the poverty line by giving them bus passes at half price.
The program gets funding from a state grant and works with county social services to find people who qualify. Residents who receive SNAP benefits or work with county homelessness services can apply for TRIP cards.
So far, TRIP has given out about 3,000 cards.
Berry said the program even reaches people leaving the county jail who don’t have driver’s licenses.
“We want them to reintegrate into society,” she said. “So, I’ve been working with the counselors over there to make sure that prisoners being released are given access to the information regarding TRIP.”
40th Anniversary Events and Community Fun
The county will hold a celebration event on Oct. 1 with Chairman Jeff McKay and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn. The event will bring together bus drivers, mechanics and leaders to celebrate the milestone.
Fairfax Connector also hosts community events throughout the year. One such special event is the Spooky Bus event on Oct. 17 at Frying Pan Farm Park, where staff dress up and decorate a bus for Halloween. Kids get candy and activity books.
Another event, Winterfest, returns for its third year at the new Springfield commuter garage from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. The event features three decorated buses, food trucks, activities and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event also includes a sensory-friendly hour at the beginning for families with autism or sensory needs.
Looking Ahead
Berry said the bus system serves as “a backbone of Fairfax County” that helps everyone from government workers to restaurant employees to students. The system connects people to jobs, schools, and opportunities across the region.
“Our focus is always, we’re not moving buses, we’re moving people,” Berry said. “And we affect people’s lives, and we keep that in the forefront of what we do every day.”
The student pass program continues to grow, and TRIP staff will apply for more state funding when the current grant ends in July 2026 (perhaps even making TRIP passes completely free instead of half price).
For more information about student bus passes, TRIP or bus routes and schedules, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com.
The County Conversation 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. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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