Fairfax Connector

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A 2022 New Flyer XE 40 NG 1000 on the 310 at Franconia-Springfield station.
FoundedSeptember 1985[1][2]
LocaleFairfax County, Virginia, U.S.
Service area180 square miles[3]
Service typebus service
Routes94 (February 2023)
Stops4,061[3]
Fleet374
Daily ridership30,200 (weekdays, Q4 2023)[4]
Annual ridership8,986,900 (2023)[5]
Fuel typeDiesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid
OperatorTransdev
Websitefairfaxcounty.gov/connector

Fairfax Connector is a public bus service provided by Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, and is managed by the county government.[3][6] The bus system provides service within Fairfax County, and connects to Metrobus, Metrorail stations, Virginia Railway Express, and other local bus systems. Fairfax Connector serves all of Fairfax Metrorail Stations, the city of Alexandria, the city of Fairfax (weekday middays only), the Washington Dulles International Airport, and the Pentagon Metrorail station (weekdays only, mostly during morning and evening peak periods).[2] In 2023, the system had a ridership of 8,986,900, or about 30,200 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

Fairfax Connector, or simply "The Connector", is operated under contract by Transdev, and is the third largest bus fleet in the D.C. area.[7] The Connector provides a fixed-route bus service within Fairfax County on 93 routes and carries about nine million passengers annually. The Connector's goals is to supplement the regional rail and bus service provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), providing reliable local bus service, and to improves the safety of the community of Fairfax County.

History[edit]

A typical Fairfax Connector bus stop sign

1980s[edit]

The first buses rolled out in September 1985 as a lower-cost alternative to the Metrobus service of the regional Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.[1] The original routes connected the southern part of the county (near the Mount Vernon Estate) to the Huntington Metro station which borders Alexandria. This area continues to be the core of the system, and is noted for the number of residents in the Richmond Highway area who use the service at all times of the day. It had 10 routes, and many routes serves through Huntington Station. These first 10 routes were previously served by Metrobus. In 1988, The Connector began to operate express routes, to connect to Pentagon station. It also expanded through the southeastern portion of Fairfax.[2]

1990s[edit]

In 1990, The Connector took over the operation of the RIBS (Reston Internal Bus Service). Service continues to provide through the southern portion of Alexandria, when Van Dorn Street station opened in 1991. In 1994, the service was extended to the high-technology industrial areas of suburban Reston and Herndon, located between Washington, D.C., and Washington Dulles International Airport. Along State Route 267 (the Dulles Toll Road), express buses carry commuters from free park-and-ride lots to the Washington Metro system. In 1999, the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride and the Tysons Westpark Transit Station opened, extending its operation within the county.

2000s[edit]

After having many buses running on pure diesel, The Connector ordered buses that runs in Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel in 2002. These bus upgrades can retrofit the fleet with Green Diesel technology, so the county can go environmentally friendly. More bus stations continues to increase, with the opening of the Lorton Park-and-Ride in 2003, and the Gambrill Road Park-and-Ride in 2005. The Connector began installing the SmarTrip Fare Card technology, so that passengers can pay their fare using WMATA's SmarTrip. In June 2009, service was transitioned from the Metrobus 2W, 12-, and 20-series routes to the Connector in the Centreville, Chantilly, and Oakton areas along I-66 and near Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Station.

On July 1, 2009, MV Transportation took over from Veolia Transport as the operator.[8]

2010s[edit]

Major changes began in 2010, when the Reston East Park-and-Ride closed to make way for the Silver Line construction. After the Silver Line opened in 2014, The Connector modified its service, by providing three circulator routes within Tysons Corner, as well as new service to McLean. Many routes were modified, so The Connector can give access to its riders to transfer within the Silver Line and other portions within the County. On July 1, 2019, Transdev commenced a five year contract to operate the network with an option to extend for a further 10 years.[9] As previously mentioned, Transdev (then as Veolia Transport) had previously operated The Connector until July 1, 2009.

On December 5, 2019, Fairfax Connector worker went on a strike against Transdev affecting 30,000 riders with all routes operating on Sunday service.[10] The strike joins 130 employees at Metrobus's Cinder Bed garage who went on strike against Transdev on October 24, 2019.[11]

2020s[edit]

On February 22, 2024, at 2AM, Fairfax Connector employees went on strike against Transdev affecting service.[12] 401/402 was operating very limited service, but at 9AM, all routes were suspended.[citation needed] As of March 8, 2024, all routes have returned to their regular schedules.[13]

Fares[edit]

The base fares for the Connector are $2.00 on local routes; $4.25 on express routes (393, 394, 395, 396, 697, 698, 699 and 835); $0.50 on Routes 350, 423, and 424; $5.00 on Route 480 (fare is round-trip); and $7.50 on Route 599.[14] Fares are paid in cash (exact change), or WMATA issued SmarTrip card.[15]

Routes[edit]

As of February 2023, the Fairfax Connector bus system consists of 94 routes. The following are the route numbers and names that make up the Fairfax Connector bus system.[16]

Route Name Terminals Service Notes
101 Fort Hunt
  • Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens
109 Rose Hill
  • Weekday rush hour trips bypass Crown Royal Dr (AM Eastbound, PM Westbound)
  • Service to Franconia-Springfield Metro was eliminated on September 26, 2004
151 Engleside – Mt. Vernon
  • Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens
  • Originally operated as a counter-clockwise loop until October 10, 2010
152 Groveton – Mt. Vernon
  • Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens
  • Originally operated as a clockwise loop until October 10, 2010
159 Engleside Limited-Stop
  • Sacramento Dr & Richmond Hwy
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Huntington Metro, PM to Sacramento Dr
  • Began service on October 10, 2010
  • Limited-stop route as of September 6, 2011
161 Hybla Valley Circulator
  • Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital
  • Counter-clockwise loop
  • Most trips serve Mt. Vernon House
162
  • Clockwise loop
171 Richmond Highway
  • Service to Franconia-Springfield Metro was eliminated on September 3, 2011
  • Weekend service to the National Museum of the United States Army began on July 10, 2021[17]
231 Kingstowne Circulator
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • Counter-clockwise loop
  • Select AM trips serve Island Creek
232
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • Clockwise loop
  • Select PM trips serve Island Creek
301 Telegraph Road
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • AM Eastbound and PM Westbound trips serve Vantage Dr
305 Newington Forest – Silverbrook Road
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • AM Northbound and PM Southbound trips serve the Gambrill Rd and Sydenstricker Park & Rides
306 GMU – Pentagon
  • Weekday midday service only
308 Franconia-Springfield – Mt. Vernon Hospital
  • Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital
  • No Sunday service
  • Began service on March 30, 2019[18]
310 Franconia Road – Rolling Valley
  • Rolling Valley Park & Ride
321 Greater Springfield Circulator
  • Counter-clockwise loop
  • Select evening trips bypass Industrial Rd and Commercial Dr
322
  • Clockwise loop
334 Newington Circulator
  • Weekday rush hour service only (and one midday trip)
  • Operates as a loop
  • Began service on September 6, 2011
  • Originally served Boston Blvd until October 15, 2012
  • Service to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the National Museum of the United States Army began on August 29, 2020[19]
335 Fort Belvoir "The Eagle"
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Began service on September 6, 2011
  • Limited-stop service between Franconia-Springfield Metro and Landsdowne Center (AM Southbound, PM Northbound)
340 Patriot Ridge – Saratoga
  • Weekday non-rush hour service only
  • Operates as a counter-clockwise loop
341 Boston Boulevard – Saratoga
  • Saratoga Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM clockwise loop, PM counter-clockwise loop
350 Frontier Drive – Hilton Springfield – Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (TAGS)
  • Weekday service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Replaced Metrobus TAGS Routes S80 and S91 on January 4, 2021[20]
351 TSA – NVCC Medical College – Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (TAGS)
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Began service on January 4, 2021[20]
  • This route is free
352 TSA – Springfield Town Center – Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station (TAGS)
  • Weekday midday service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Replaced the western portion of Route 350 on October 1, 2022[21]
  • This route is free
353 Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station – Metro Park (TAGS)
  • Metro Park
  • Weekday service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Replaced the eastern portion of Route 350 on October 1, 2022[21]
  • This route is free
371 Lorton – Springfield
  • Lorton Park & Ride
  • Non-rush hour service only
  • Began service on September 3, 2011
372
  • Lorton Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Began service on January 14, 2013
  • AM Southbound and PM Northbound trips serve Patriot Ridge
373
  • Laurel Crest Dr & Silverbrook Rd
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Began service on January 14, 2013
  • Southbound trips serve Boston Blvd
393 Saratoga – Mark Center – Pentagon
  • Saratoga Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Saratoga Park & Ride
  • Began service on May 16, 2015[22]
394 Saratoga – Backlick – Pentagon
  • Saratoga Shopping Center (Rolling Rd) [AM]
  • Backlick North Park & Ride (PM)
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Backlick North Park & Ride
  • Began service on January 14, 2013
395 Gambrill Road – Pentagon
  • Gambrill Rd Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Gambrill Rd Park & Ride
  • Began service on September 6, 2011
396 Backlick – Pentagon
  • Backlick North Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Backlick North Park & Ride
  • Began service on January 25, 2020
401 Backlick – Gallows
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Northbound service
402
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Southbound service
  • Originally Route 401 Southbound until November 22, 2009
423 Park Run – Westpark
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Operates as a loop
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
424 Jones Branch Drive
  • Operates as a loop
  • No Sunday service
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Saturday service began on June 18, 2016[23]
432 Old Courthouse – Beulah
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a clockwise loop
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
461 Flint Hill – Vienna
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a clockwise loop
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
462 Dunn Loring – Navy Federal – Tysons
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Began service on June 28, 2009
  • Service to Vienna Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
463 Maple Avenue – Tysons
  • Began service on June 28, 2009
  • Service to Dunn Loring Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
466 Vienna – Oakton
  • Weekday service only
    • AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 2W on June 29, 2009
467 Dunn Loring – Tysons
  • Non-rush hour service only
  • Began service on March 30, 2019[18]
  • Sunday service began on January 4, 2021[20]
  • Re-routed via Old Courthouse Rd on July 10, 2021[17]
480 Wolf Trap Express
  • This route operates seasonally for Filene Center events only
  • Originally served West Falls Church Metro until May 28, 2022[24]
494 Lorton – Springfield – Tysons
  • Westpark Dr & Jones Branch Dr (AM)
  • Galleria Dr & Tysons Blvd (PM)
  • Weekday service only
  • Began service on March 18, 2013
495 Burke Centre – Tysons
  • Weekday rush hour service only (and one midday trip)
    • AM to Tysons, PM to Burke Centre
  • Began service on January 14, 2013
  • Originally operated via Jones Branch Dr until October 1, 2022[21]
507 Sunset Hills – Sunrise Valley
  • Weekday service only
  • Operates as a clockwise loop
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
552 Innovation Center – Wiehle-Reston East
  • Weekday rush hour service only
553 Kingstream – Herndon – Fox Mill
  • Kingstream Dr & Kingsvale Cir
  • Weekday rush hour service only
557 Reston South – Soapstone
  • Reston South Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Wiehle-Reston East Metro, PM to Reston South Park & Ride
  • Service to Franklin Farm was eliminated on June 28, 2009
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
558 Center Harbor – Wiehle – Reston Town Center
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Center Harbor Rd & Wiehle Ave
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
574 Reston – Tysons
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
599 Reston North – Pentagon Express
  • Reston North Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Crystal City, PM to Reston North Park & Ride
  • Replaced Routes 595 and 597 on July 26, 2014
605 Reston – Fair Oaks
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride
615 Fair Oaks – Greenbriar
  • Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
  • Replaced the southwest portion of Route 605 on November 16, 2022[25][26]
621 Penderbrook – Government Center
  • Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride
  • Weekday non-rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
622 Penderbrook – Fair Ridge
  • Fairfax Towne Center
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
623 Fairfax County Government Center
  • Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop
624 Stringfellow Road – Fair Lakes
  • Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride, PM to Vienna Metro
  • Began service on June 18, 2016[23]
630 Centreville
  • Centreville-UMC Park & Ride
  • Non-rush hour service only
  • Began service on June 29, 2009
  • Weekend service began on June 18, 2016[23]
  • Westbound service re-routed via Autumn Willow Dr on July 10, 2021[17]
631 Little Rocky Run
  • Little Rocky Run (Braddock Rd)
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Vienna Metro, PM to Little Rocky Run
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 12F and 12L on June 29, 2009
632 Westfields
  • Park Meadow Dr & Newbrook Dr
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM clockwise loop, PM counter-clockwise loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 12R and 12S on June 29, 2009
634 Stringfellow Road – Fair Lakes
  • Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Vienna Metro, PM to Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride
  • Began service on June 18, 2016[23]
640 Stone Road – Westfields
  • Centreville (Stone Rd) Park & Ride
  • Lee Rd & Conference Center Dr
  • Non-rush hour service only
  • Operates as a clockwise loop
  • Began service on June 29, 2009
  • Weekend service began on June 18, 2016[23]
    • Bypasses the Conference Center and Westfields office park areas on weekends
641 Centre Ridge – Centreville South
  • Centreville-UMC Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM clockwise loop, PM counter-clockwise loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 12A, 12E, 12F, and 12G on June 29, 2009
642 Centreville North – Sully Station
  • Sully Station (Gov't Center) Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 12C and 12D on June 29, 2009
650 Chantilly
  • Avion Pkwy & Stonecroft Blvd
  • Non-rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Began service on June 29, 2009
  • Weekend service began on June 18, 2016[23]
    • Bypasses Sullyfield Circle on weekends
651 Chantilly – Brookfield
  • Lee Rd & Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Operates as a loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 20X and 20Y on June 29, 2009
  • Serves Galesbury Ln before Vienna in the AM, and before Lee Rd in the PM
  • Service to Brookfield Corporate Dr was eliminated on June 18, 2016[23]
652 Chantilly – Franklin Farm
  • Avion Pkwy & Stonecroft Blvd
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM clockwise loop, PM counter-clockwise loop
  • Replaced Metrobus Routes 20F, 20W, and 20X on June 29, 2009
660 Stone Road – Tysons
  • Centreville (Stone Rd) Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Replaced Route 644 on February 6, 2023[27]
697 Stringfellow Road – D Street SW
  • Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride
  • D St SW, Washington, D.C.
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to D.C., PM to Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride
  • Began service on August 29, 2020[19]
698 Vienna – Pentagon
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Vienna Metro
  • Began service on January 22, 2019[28]
699 Government Center – Downtown D.C.
  • Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Began service on December 4, 2017[29]
  • Added reverse commute trips on August 29, 2020[19]
703 Pimmit Hills
  • No Sunday service
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 3T on July 10, 2021[17]
715 East Falls Church – Langley
  • Langley
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 15K on July 10, 2021[17]
721 Chain Bridge Road – McLean
  • Beverly Dr & Old McLean Village Dr
  • Langley
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Does not serve Tysons Corner during weekday rush hours
  • Serves Langley during weekday middays
722 McLean – Langley
  • Langley
  • Weekday rush hour service only
724 Lewinsville Road
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Originally served Spring Hill Metro until June 18, 2016[23]
803 Annandale Road
  • Annandale (Patriot Dr & Americana Dr)
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 3A on July 10, 2021[17]
  • Serves Seven Corners on weekends
834 Little River Turnpike – Pentagon
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to NVCC-Annandale, PM to Pentagon Metro
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 29C on July 10, 2021[17]
835 Braeburn Drive – Pentagon Express
  • Weekday rush hour service only
    • AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to NVCC-Annandale
  • Replaced Metrobus Route 29W on July 10, 2021[17]
901 Herndon Metro – Centreville
  • Centreville-UMC Park & Ride
  • Began service on November 16, 2022[25][26]
921 Herndon Circulator
  • Counter-clockwise loop
  • Began service on November 16, 2022[25][26]
924 NOVA Loudoun – Herndon – Franklin Farm
  • Kinross Cir & Kilbrennan Ct
937 Coppermine – Elden
  • Herndon Harbor House
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
950 Reston Town Center – Herndon Metro
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
  • Service to Wiehle-Reston East Metro was eliminated on November 16, 2022[25][26]
951 Wiehle-Reston East – Innovation Center
  • Weekday rush hour service only
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
952 Sunset Hills – Dulles Airport
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
954 Sterling Plaza – Herndon Metro
  • Sterling Plaza
  • Began service on November 16, 2022[25][26]
983 Dulles Airport – Udvar-Hazy Center
  • Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum
  • Trips after 9 am serve the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Service to Wiehle-Reston East Metro was eliminated on November 16, 2022[25][26]
RIBS1 Lake Anne – Hunters Woods
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Clockwise loop
RIBS2 South Lakes Drive
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
RIBS3 Lake Anne – Hunters Woods
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Counter-clockwise loop
RIBS4 North Point
  • North Point Village Center
RIBS5 Herndon
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Herndon Harbor House

Former routes[edit]

These routes have been served by Fairfax Connector at one point but have since been discontinued due to either low ridership, duplication of another route, simplification to other routes, or combined into another route. However some routes would be reincarnated into new routes for Fairfax Connector.

Route Name Terminals Notes
5S Reston – Herndon
  • Discontinued in July 1999
102 Fort Hunt Road
  • Richmond Hwy & Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy
  • AM service to Huntington Metro, PM service to Mount Vernon
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
103 Belle View
  • Wakefield Dr & Potomac Ave
  • No Sunday service
  • Operated as a loop
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
105 Richmond Highway
  • Sacramento Dr & Richmond Hwy
  • Richmond Hwy & Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy (Midday)
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
106
  • Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
107
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
108 Telegraph Road
  • Leaf Rd & Kingman Bldg.
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
110 Old Keene Mill – Franconia Road
  • Rolling Valley Park & Ride
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
123 Franconia Road
  • Began service on September 26, 2004
  • Discontinued on October 15, 2006
202 Beulah Street
  • View Ln & Morning View Ln
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
203 Kingstowne Village
  • Mount Air Dr & Telegraph Rd
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
204 Springfield – Van Dorn
  • No Sunday Service
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
301 Hayfield – Kingstowne
  • Leaf Rd & Kingman Bldg.
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
303 Island Creek
  • Mount Air Dr & Telegraph Rd
  • Discontinued on June 28, 2009
304 Saratoga
  • Rolling Rd & Northumberland Rd
  • Discontinued on January 14, 2013
307 Laurel Hill/Lorton
  • Laurel Crest Dr & Silverbrook Rd
  • Sheffield Green Way & Waldren Dr
  • Discontinued on September 3, 2011
311 Hayfield – Kingstowne
  • Helmsdale Ln & Amesbury Ct
  • Midday service only
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
331 I-95 Circulator
  • Counter–clockwise loop
  • Discontinued on September 3, 2011
332
  • Clockwise loop
  • Discontinued on September 3, 2011
333 Patriot Ridge – Saratoga
  • Saratoga Park & Ride
  • Began service on September 6, 2011
  • Originally served NVCC Medical Education Campus, Boston Blvd, Gateway 95, and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) until October 15, 2012
  • Discontinued on September 30, 2017
380 Franconia-Springfield – Pentagon Express
  • Re-routed to the Gambrill Rd and Backlick North Park & Rides on September 28, 2009, as Route 380D
  • Discontinued on September 3, 2011
383 Lorton
  • Richmond Hwy & Armistead Rd (AM)
  • Pohick Rd & Lone Star Rd (PM)
  • AM service to Pentagon Metro, PM service to Lorton
  • Service to the Lorton Park & Ride began on January 27, 2003
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
384 Saratoga
  • Rolling Rd & Northumberland Rd
  • AM Southbound and PM Northbound trips served Gateway 95 (select trips) and Boston Blvd
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
385 Newington Forest
  • Silverbrook Rd & Royal Robin Ln
  • AM service to Pentagon Metro, PM service to Silverbrook Rd
  • Discontinued on September 26, 2004
402 Vienna – Merrifield – Dunn Loring
  • Old Lee Hwy & Hilltop Rd
  • Discontinued on June 28, 2009
403 Vienna – Merrifield – Dunn Loring
  • Old Lee Hwy & Hilltop Rd
  • Discontinued on June 28, 2009
404 Rosslyn – Langley – GMU
422 Boone Boulevard – Towers Crescent
  • Operated as a loop
  • Discontinued on July 10, 2021[17]
425 Tysons – Jones Branch Drive
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
427 Tysons – Greensboro Drive
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
493 Lorton – Tysons Express
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Began service on March 18, 2013
  • Discontinued on May 16, 2015[22]
493F Lorton – Tysons Express Circulator
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Began service on March 18, 2013
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
493G
493J
493M
494F Springfield – Tysons Express Circulator
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Began service on March 18, 2013
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
494G
494J
494M
495F Burke VRE – Tysons Express Circulator
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Began service on January 14, 2013
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
495G
495J
495M
504 Tysons Corner – Reston Town Center
  • Tysons Westpark Transit Station
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Discontinued on October 1, 2006
505 Reston Town Center
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
551 South Lakes Drive
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
554 Reston North: Wiehle Avenue – Center Harbor
  • Wiehle Ave & Center Harbor Rd
  • AM service to Wiehle–Reston East Metro, PM service to Center Harbor
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
555 Sunset Hills Park & Ride – West Falls Church
  • Sunset Hills Park & Ride
  • Began service on April 3, 2011
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
556 Reston Town Center
  • Reston Town Center Transit Station
  • AM service to West Falls Church Metro, PM service to Reston Town Center
  • Discontinued on June 28, 2009
556 Bennington Woods
  • Lake Newport Rd & Poplar Grove Dr (AM)
  • Reston Pkwy & Bennington Woods Rd (PM)
  • AM service to Wiehle–Reston East Metro, PM service to Bennington Woods
  • Began service on May 16, 2015[22]
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
559 Reston South: Glade – Soapstone
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Operated as a loop
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
585 Reston South – Franklin Farm
  • Franklin Farm Rd & Centreville Rd
  • Operated between Reston South Park & Ride and West Falls Church Metro until July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
595 Pentagon Express
  • Reston North Park & Ride
  • AM service to Pentagon Metro, PM service to Reston North Park & Ride
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
597 Crystal City Express
  • Reston North Park & Ride
  • AM service to Crystal City, PM service to Reston North Park & Ride
  • Discontinued on July 26, 2014
644 Centreville (Stone Road) Park & Ride
  • Centreville (Stone Rd) Park & Ride
  • AM service to Vienna Metro, PM service to Centreville (Stone Rd) Park & Ride
  • Began service on June 29, 2009
  • Discontinued on February 6, 2023[27]
734 McLean – West Falls Church
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on June 18, 2016[23]
904 Herndon/Reston Town Center
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • Tysons Corner
  • Discontinued in December 2001
905 Reston Town Center Express
  • Reston Town Center
  • Discontinued in December 2001
922 Herndon
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • Sterling Blvd & Centreville Rd
  • Discontinued on June 28, 2009
926 Dranesville Road – Worldgate Drive
  • Dranesville Rd & Leesburg Pike
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
927 Dulles Corner – McNair Farms
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
928 Herndon Parkway – Elden
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • Dranesville Rd & Herndon Pkwy
  • Discontinued on May 16, 2015[22]
929 Centreville Road
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
980 Herndon-Monroe – Wiehle-Reston East
  • Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride
  • Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
981 Dulles Airport – Wiehle-Reston East
  • Began service on June 30, 2012
  • Only operated when Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum is closed
  • Originally served Tysons Westpark Transit Station until July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
985 Dulles Corner – Wall Road
  • Wall Rd & Air and Space Museum Pkwy
  • Began service on July 26, 2014
  • Discontinued on November 16, 2022[25][26]
989 Pentagon – Crystal City
  • Reston East Park & Ride (Wiehle Ave)
  • AM service to Crystal City, PM service to Reston East Park & Ride
  • Discontinued on October 1, 2006

Fleet[edit]

Fairfax Connector operates a fleet consisting of diesel, hybrid, and electric buses produced by Orion Bus Industries and New Flyer. The Fairfax Connector fleet roster consists of the following buses:[2]

Image Builder and
model
Model year Length Numbers
(Total)
Vehicles
in service
Fuel type Notes
New Flyer
Low Floor Restyled D40LFR
2007 40 ft (12 m) 9700–9751
(52 buses)
1
retiring
Diesel
DaimlerChrysler
North America

Orion VII
Next Generation
2008 30 ft (9.1 m) 9770–9795
(26 buses)
25
New Flyer
Low Floor Restyled D40LFR
2009 40 ft (12 m) 9600–9613
(14 buses)
14
2010 9614–9644
(31 buses)
29
  • 2009 models
  • 9617 is retired following a collision and fire[30][31]
New Flyer
Low Floor Advanced DE42LFA
42 ft (13 m) 6568, 6577, 6584, 6585, 6591, 6609
(6 buses)
2
retiring
Hybrid
  • Ex-WMATA buses, acquired in 2021
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2011 40 ft (12 m) 9645–9675
(31 buses)
30 Diesel
7701–7737
(37 buses)
36
2012 7738–7753, 7755–7758
(20 buses)
20
Daimler Commercial Buses
Orion VII
EPA10 BRT
30 ft (9.1 m) 3082–3087
(6 buses)
6 Hybrid
  • Ex-WMATA buses, acquired in 2021
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35
35 ft (11 m) 9676–9690
(15 buses)
15 Diesel
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2013 40 ft (12 m) 7759–7777
(19 buses)
19
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35
2014 35 ft (11 m) 7778–7794
(17 buses)
17
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2015 40 ft (12 m) 7795–7799
(5 buses)[32]
5
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35
35 ft (11 m) 7800–7811
(12 buses)[32]
12
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2017 40 ft (12 m) 1730–1739
(10 buses)
10
  • Ex-NCSU Wolfline buses, acquired in October 2021
  • Buses retained the Wolfline paint scheme, but have Fairfax Connector logos applied
2018 7812–7815
(4 buses)
4
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35
35 ft (11 m) 7816–7825
(10 buses)
10
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2019 40 ft (12 m) 7826–7829
(4 buses)
4
2020 7830–7840
(11 buses)
11
2021 7841–7868
(28 buses)
28
2022 7869–7876
(8 buses)
8
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35
35 ft (11 m) 7877–7892
(16 buses)
16
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE40[33]
40 ft (12 m) 1000–1007
(8 buses)
8 Battery electric
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2023 7893–7904
(12 buses)
12 Diesel
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE40
1008–1009
(2 buses)
2 Battery electric
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE35
35 ft (11 m) 1010–1011
(2 buses)
2
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40
2024 40 ft (12 m) 7905-????
(? buses)
24
delivery in progress
Diesel
  • 7905-7928 are delivered.

Retired Fleet[edit]

Year Builder and model Numbers
(preserved numbers)
Year Retired Picture Notes
1985 Bus Industries of America
Orion I (01.507)
7700-7732 2007
1988 7733-7739
Bus Industries of America
Orion I (01.502)
7800-7809
1988–89 Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
RTS-06 (T80-206)
7941L-7952L
1989–90 Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
RTS-06 (T70-606)
7953L-7954L
1989–91 Bus Industries of America
Orion I (01.507)
7740-7761
1994 Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
RTS-06 (T80-206)
7810-7854 2011–2013
1997 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.501)
8033-8066
1998 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.505)
7903-7912 2010–2011
Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.501)
7762-7781
1999 7855-7869 2011
Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.505)
7913-7917
2000 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.501)
7782-7799, 7870-7890 2012–2014
2002 DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses
Orion V (05.504)
7891-7898 2016
DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses
Orion V (05.505)
7918-7927 2016–2017
2003 Champion
Cutaways
7928-7930 2010
2006 ElDorado National
Aero Elites
7931-7940 2012
2007 New Flyer
Low Floor Restyled D35LFR
9754–9769 2023-2024

Divisions[edit]

The bus fleet, owned and operated by Fairfax Connector, is distributed among three garages in Newington, Fair Lakes, and Reston.

Division name Location Capacity Routes Buses Notes
Huntington 6900 Newington Rd, Lorton, VA 22079 100 101, 109, 151, 152, 159, 161, 162, 171, 231, 232, 301, 305, 308, 321, 322, 334, 335, 340, 341, 350, 351, 352, 353, 371, 372, 373, 394, 401, 402
Weekends Only: 310

1730-1739, 3082-3087, 7705-7706, 7708, 7712, 7716-7717, 7739-7742, 7744-7749, 7755-7758, 7761-7763, 7768-7770, 7774-7776, 7800-7802, 7807, 7809-7810, 7827-7829, 7832-7835, 7845-7850, 7867, 7870-7874, 9610-9612, 9614-9616, 9618-9630, 9632, 9634, 9636-9639, 9644, 9645-9648, 9650-9656, 9662, 9665-9668, 9670

  • South County Routes
Reston-Herndon Division 268 Spring Street, Herndon, VA 20170 104 423, 424, 480, 507, 552, 553, 557, 558, 574, 599, 605, 721, 722, 724, 921, 937, 950, 951, 952, 954, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4, RIBS 5
Weekends Only: 463, 467, 615, 630, 640, 650, 703, 803, 901, 924, 983

7760, 7766-7767, 7783-7794, 7803-7804, 7816-7825, 7830-7831, 7841-7844, 7868, 7875, 7880-7892, 7893-7897, 9657-9661, 9675, 9679-9690, 9776-9782, 9784-9795

  • North and West County Routes
West Ox 4970 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 124 Weekdays Only: 306, 310, 393, 395, 396, 432, 461, 462, 463, 466, 467, 494, 495, 615, 621, 622, 623, 624, 630, 631, 632, 634, 640, 641, 642, 650, 651, 652, 660, 697, 698, 699, 703, 715, 803, 834, 835, 901, 924, 983

1000-1007, 1008-1009, 1010-1011, 6577, 6585, 7701-7704, 7707, 7709-7711, 7713-7715, 7718-7724, 7726-7737, 7738, 7743, 7750-7753, 7759, 7764-7765, 7771-7773, 7777, 7778-7782, 7795-7799, 7805-7806, 7808, 7811, 7812-7815, 7826, 7836-7840, 7851-7866, 7869, 7876, 7877-7879, 7898-7904, 9600-9609, 9613, 9631, 9635, 9640-9643, 9649, 9663, 9669, 9671-9674, 9676-9678, 9713, 9770-9774, 9783

  • North, South, and West County Routes

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Lynton, Stephen J. (1985-09-27). "Fairfax Bus Service to Begin". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  2. ^ a b c d "Fairfax County Transit Development Plan Fiscal Year 2016 – Fiscal Year 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  3. ^ a b c "Fairfax Connector Facts at a Glance". Archived from the original on 2015-09-01. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  4. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "Fairfax Connector Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Fairfax County, Virginia. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  7. ^ "Fairfax County to sign $200M Connector bus service contract". 30 March 2009. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  8. ^ Fairfax County to sign $200M Connector bus service contract Washington Examiner March 30, 2009
  9. ^ Transdev wins Fairfax bus contract Metro Report International May 16, 2019
  10. ^ Smith, Max (5 December 2019). "Fairfax Connector bus workers go on strike". Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  11. ^ George, Justin. "Fairfax Connector workers go on strike Thursday". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  12. ^ Rogers, Winston (22 February 2024). "Fairfax Connector bus operators and mechanics strike, demand new Union contract". WJLA. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  13. ^ Nguyen, Danny (7 March 2024). "Fairfax Connector agreement ends two-week bus strike". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Fares and Policies: Connector". Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  15. ^ "Smartrip Technology On Fairfax Connector Buses". Fairfax County Government. May 2, 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  16. ^ "Fairfax Connector Route Schedules and Maps". County of Fairfax, Virginia. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Fairfax Connector to Assume Operations of Select Metrobus Routes, Announces Changes to Existing Bus Service Effective July 10, 2021 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Fairfax Connector Service Changes, Including Two New Routes, Go Into Effect March 30, 2019 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  19. ^ a b c "Fairfax Connector Returns to Full Service, Launches New and Enhanced Bus Routes on August 29 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  20. ^ a b c "Fairfax Connector Resumes Fare Collection, Launches New and Enhanced Service January 4, 2021 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  21. ^ a b c "Fairfax Connector Announces Changes to Existing Bus Service Effective October 1, 2022 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  22. ^ a b c d "Fairfax Connector Announces Service Changes Effective May 16 - Fairfax County, Virginia". Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Fairfax Connector Announces Service Changes, New Weekend Service for Centreville and Chantilly Effective June 18 - Fairfax County, Virginia". Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  24. ^ "Fairfax Connector to offer express bus service to Wolf Trap, now from McLean Metro | FFXnow". FFXnow | Fairfax County, Va. breaking news and local happenings. 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Herndon-Reston Bus Service Review - Approved Service Changes | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Reston-Herndon Connector Service | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Fairfax Connector Service Changes Effective Saturday, Feb. 4; New Route 660 Begins Monday, Feb. 6 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  28. ^ "Fairfax Connector New Express Service Route 698 from Vienna Metrorail Station to the Pentagon Begins Jan. 22 | Connector". 2020-12-01. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  29. ^ "Ride Stress Free to D.C. on New Fairfax Connector Express Service Beginning December 4, 2017 | Connector". 2018-08-25. Archived from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  30. ^ "1 Injured After Bus, Motorcycle Crash in Fairfax County: Police". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Motorcyclist dies after crash with Fairfax Connector bus". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Fairfax County Connector Exercises Options For Twelve 35-Foot and Five 40-Foot Xcelsior® Diesel Buses - New Flyer | North America's Bus Leader | New Flyer | North America's Bus Leader". 2019-03-31. Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  33. ^ "Fairfax Connector electric buses hit the road and more on the way". October 2, 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.

External links[edit]