Fairfax Connector

A 2022 New Flyer XE40 NG 1000 on the 310 at Franconia-Springfield station.
Founded	September 1985 [1] [2]
Locale	Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.
Service area	180 square miles [3]
Service type	bus service
Routes	94 (February 2023)
Stops	4,061 [3]
Fleet	374
Daily ridership	30,200 (weekdays, Q4 2023) [4]
Annual ridership	8,986,900 (2023) [5]
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid
Operator	Transdev
Website	fairfaxcounty.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

A typical Fairfax Connector bus stop sign

1980s

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

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

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

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

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

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

As of February 2023 ^[update] , 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	Huntington station	Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens
109	Rose Hill	Huntington station	Van Dorn Street station		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	Huntington station	Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens		Originally operated as a counter-clockwise loop until October 10, 2010
152	Groveton – Mt. Vernon	Huntington station	Mt. Vernon Estate & Gardens		Originally operated as a clockwise loop until October 10, 2010
159	Engleside Limited-Stop	Huntington station	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	Huntington station	Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital	Counter-clockwise loop	Most trips serve Mt. Vernon House
162				Clockwise loop
171	Richmond Highway	Huntington station	Lorton VRE Station		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	Franconia–Springfield station	Van Dorn Street station	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	Huntington Station	Franconia–Springfield station	Weekday rush hour service only	AM Eastbound and PM Westbound trips serve Vantage Dr
305	Newington Forest – Silverbrook Road	Lorton VRE Station	Franconia–Springfield station	Weekday rush hour service only	AM Northbound and PM Southbound trips serve the Gambrill Rd and Sydenstricker Park & Rides
306	GMU – Pentagon	George Mason University	Pentagon station	Weekday midday service only
308	Franconia-Springfield – Mt. Vernon Hospital	Franconia–Springfield station	Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital	No Sunday service	Began service on March 30, 2019 [18]
310	Franconia Road – Rolling Valley	Rolling Valley Park & Ride	Huntington station
321	Greater Springfield Circulator	Van Dorn Street station	Franconia–Springfield station	Counter-clockwise loop	Select evening trips bypass Industrial Rd and Commercial Dr
322				Clockwise loop
334	Newington Circulator	Franconia–Springfield station	Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)	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"	Franconia–Springfield station	Fort Belvoir	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	Franconia–Springfield station	Fort Belvoir (North Area)	Weekday non-rush hour service only Operates as a counter-clockwise loop
341	Boston Boulevard – Saratoga	Franconia–Springfield station	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)	Franconia–Springfield station	Springfield Town Center Hilton Springfield	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)	Franconia–Springfield station	Transportation Security Administration (TSA) NVCC-Medical Education Campus	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)	Franconia–Springfield station	Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Springfield Town Center	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)	Franconia–Springfield station	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	Franconia–Springfield station	Lorton Park & Ride	Non-rush hour service only	Began service on September 3, 2011
372		Franconia–Springfield station	Lorton Park & Ride	Weekday rush hour service only	Began service on January 14, 2013 AM Southbound and PM Northbound trips serve Patriot Ridge
373		Franconia–Springfield station	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	Pentagon station	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)	Pentagon station	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	Pentagon station	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	Pentagon station	Weekday rush hour service only AM to Pentagon Metro, PM to Backlick North Park & Ride	Began service on January 25, 2020
401	Backlick – Gallows	Franconia–Springfield station	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Northbound service
402		Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Franconia–Springfield station	Southbound service	Originally Route 401 Southbound until November 22, 2009
423	Park Run – Westpark	Tysons station	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Operates as a loop	Began service on July 26, 2014
424	Jones Branch Drive	Tysons station	Spring Hill station	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	Spring Hill station		Weekday rush hour service only Operates as a clockwise loop	Began service on July 26, 2014
461	Flint Hill – Vienna	Vienna station		Weekday rush hour service only Operates as a clockwise loop	Began service on July 26, 2014
462	Dunn Loring – Navy Federal – Tysons	Dunn Loring station	Tysons station	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	Vienna station	Tysons station		Began service on June 28, 2009 Service to Dunn Loring Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
466	Vienna – Oakton	Vienna station		Weekday service only AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop	Replaced Metrobus Route 2W on June 29, 2009
467	Dunn Loring – Tysons	Dunn Loring station	Tysons station	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	McLean station	Wolf Trap Filene Center	This route operates seasonally for Filene Center events only	Originally served West Falls Church Metro until May 28, 2022 [24]
494	Lorton – Springfield – Tysons	Lorton VRE station	Westpark Dr & Jones Branch Dr (AM) Galleria Dr & Tysons Blvd (PM)	Weekday service only	Began service on March 18, 2013
495	Burke Centre – Tysons	Burke Centre VRE station	Tysons Blvd & Westbranch Dr (AM) Tysons station (PM)	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	Wiehle–Reston East station		Weekday service only Operates as a clockwise loop	Began service on July 26, 2014
552	Innovation Center – Wiehle-Reston East	Innovation Center station	Wiehle–Reston East station	Weekday rush hour service only
553	Kingstream – Herndon – Fox Mill	Reston Town Center station	Kingstream Dr & Kingsvale Cir	Weekday rush hour service only
557	Reston South – Soapstone	Reston South Park & Ride	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	23rd Street S & Crystal Dr (AM) Crystal City station (PM)	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	Fair Oaks Mall	Inova Fair Oaks Hospital		Replaced the southwest portion of Route 605 on November 16, 2022 [25] [26]
621	Penderbrook – Government Center	Vienna station	Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride	Weekday non-rush hour service only Operates as a loop
622	Penderbrook – Fair Ridge	Vienna station	Fairfax Towne Center	Weekday rush hour service only Operates as a loop
623	Fairfax County Government Center	Fairfax Government Center Park & Ride	Vienna station	Weekday rush hour service only AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop
624	Stringfellow Road – Fair Lakes	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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)	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	Weekday rush hour service only AM counter-clockwise loop, PM clockwise loop	Replaced Metrobus Routes 12C and 12D on June 29, 2009
650	Chantilly	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Vienna station	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	Tysons station	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	Vienna station	Pentagon station	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	Downtown Washington, D.C.	Weekday rush hour service only	Began service on December 4, 2017 [29] Added reverse commute trips on August 29, 2020 [19]
703	Pimmit Hills	West Falls Church station	McLean station	No Sunday service	Replaced Metrobus Route 3T on July 10, 2021 [17]
715	East Falls Church – Langley	East Falls Church station	Langley	Weekday rush hour service only	Replaced Metrobus Route 15K on July 10, 2021 [17]
721	Chain Bridge Road – McLean	McLean station Tysons Corner Center	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	McLean station	Langley	Weekday rush hour service only
724	Lewinsville Road	McLean station	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	East Falls Church station Seven Corners	Annandale (Patriot Dr & Americana Dr)		Replaced Metrobus Route 3A on July 10, 2021 [17] Serves Seven Corners on weekends
834	Little River Turnpike – Pentagon	Pentagon station	NVCC-Annandale	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	NVCC-Annandale	Pentagon station	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	Herndon station	Centreville-UMC Park & Ride		Began service on November 16, 2022 [25] [26]
921	Herndon Circulator	Herndon station		Counter-clockwise loop	Began service on November 16, 2022 [25] [26]
924	NOVA Loudoun – Herndon – Franklin Farm	NVCC-Loudoun	Kinross Cir & Kilbrennan Ct
937	Coppermine – Elden	Herndon station	Herndon Harbor House		Began service on July 26, 2014
950	Reston Town Center – Herndon Metro	Reston Town Center Transit Station	Herndon 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	Innovation Center station	Wiehle–Reston East station	Weekday rush hour service only	Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
952	Sunset Hills – Dulles Airport	Washington Dulles International Airport	Wiehle–Reston East station		Service to West Falls Church Metro was eliminated on July 26, 2014
954	Sterling Plaza – Herndon Metro	Sterling Plaza	Herndon station		Began service on November 16, 2022 [25] [26]
983	Dulles Airport – Udvar-Hazy Center	Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum	Washington Dulles International Airport	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	Lake Anne Village Center Wiehle–Reston East station	Clockwise loop
RIBS2	South Lakes Drive	Reston Town Center Transit Station	Herndon station
RIBS3	Lake Anne – Hunters Woods	Reston Town Center Transit Station	Hunters Woods Village Center Wiehle–Reston East station	Counter-clockwise loop
RIBS4	North Point	Reston Town Center station	North Point Village Center
RIBS5	Herndon	Reston Town Center Transit Station	Herndon Harbor House

Former routes

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		West Falls Church station	Discontinued in July 1999
102	Fort Hunt Road	Huntington station	Richmond Hwy & Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy	AM service to Huntington Metro, PM service to Mount Vernon Discontinued on September 26, 2004
103	Belle View	Huntington station	Wakefield Dr & Potomac Ave	No Sunday service Operated as a loop Discontinued on September 26, 2004
105	Richmond Highway	Huntington station	Sacramento Dr & Richmond Hwy Richmond Hwy & Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy (Midday)	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
106		Huntington station	Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
107		Huntington station Fairfax St & Pendleton St (select trips)	Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
108	Telegraph Road	Huntington station	Leaf Rd & Kingman Bldg.	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
110	Old Keene Mill – Franconia Road	King Street–Old Town station Huntington station (Sunday)	Rolling Valley Park & Ride	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
123	Franconia Road	Huntington station	Franconia–Springfield station	Began service on September 26, 2004 Discontinued on October 15, 2006
202	Beulah Street	View Ln & Morning View Ln	Van Dorn Street station	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
203	Kingstowne Village	Mount Air Dr & Telegraph Rd	Van Dorn Street station	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
204	Springfield – Van Dorn	Franconia–Springfield station	Van Dorn Street station	No Sunday Service Discontinued on September 26, 2004
301	Hayfield – Kingstowne	Franconia–Springfield station	Leaf Rd & Kingman Bldg.	Discontinued on September 26, 2004
303	Island Creek	Franconia–Springfield station	Mount Air Dr & Telegraph Rd	Discontinued on June 28, 2009
304	Saratoga	Franconia–Springfield station	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	Franconia–Springfield station	Helmsdale Ln & Amesbury Ct	Midday service only Discontinued on September 26, 2004
331	I-95 Circulator	Franconia–Springfield station	Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)	Counter–clockwise loop Discontinued on September 3, 2011
332				Clockwise loop Discontinued on September 3, 2011
333	Patriot Ridge – Saratoga	Franconia–Springfield station	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	Franconia–Springfield station	Pentagon station	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)	Pentagon station	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	Pentagon station	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	Pentagon station	AM service to Pentagon Metro, PM service to Silverbrook Rd Discontinued on September 26, 2004
402	Vienna – Merrifield – Dunn Loring	Vienna station	Old Lee Hwy & Hilltop Rd	Discontinued on June 28, 2009
403	Vienna – Merrifield – Dunn Loring	Vienna station	Old Lee Hwy & Hilltop Rd	Discontinued on June 28, 2009
404	Rosslyn – Langley – GMU	Rosslyn station	George Mason University
422	Boone Boulevard – Towers Crescent	Tysons station		Operated as a loop Discontinued on July 10, 2021 [17]
425	Tysons – Jones Branch Drive	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	West Falls Church station	Discontinued on July 26, 2014
427	Tysons – Greensboro Drive	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	West Falls Church station	Discontinued on July 26, 2014
493	Lorton – Tysons Express	Lorton VRE station	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Began service on March 18, 2013 Discontinued on May 16, 2015 [22]
493F	Lorton – Tysons Express Circulator	Lorton VRE station	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Began service on March 18, 2013 Discontinued on July 26, 2014
493G
493J
493M
494F	Springfield – Tysons Express Circulator	Franconia–Springfield station	Tysons Westpark Transit Station	Began service on March 18, 2013 Discontinued on July 26, 2014
494G
494J
494M
495F	Burke VRE – Tysons Express Circulator	Burke Centre VRE station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	West Falls Church station	Began service on April 3, 2011 Discontinued on July 26, 2014
556	Reston Town Center	Reston Town Center Transit Station	West Falls Church 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)	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station		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	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Pentagon station	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	Crystal City station (AM) 15th St S & S Eads St (PM)	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	Vienna station	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	McLean station	West Falls Church station	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	West Falls Church station	Discontinued in December 2001
922	Herndon	Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride	Sterling Blvd & Centreville Rd	Discontinued on June 28, 2009
926	Dranesville Road – Worldgate Drive	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station		Discontinued on November 16, 2022 [25] [26]
980	Herndon-Monroe – Wiehle-Reston East	Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Washington Dulles International Airport	Wiehle–Reston East station	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	Wiehle–Reston East station	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)	23rd Street S & Crystal Drive (AM) Crystal City station (PM)	AM service to Crystal City, PM service to Reston East Park & Ride Discontinued on October 1, 2006

Fleet

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
	DaimlerChrysler North America Orion VII Next Generation	2008	30 ft (9.1 m)	9770–9795 (26 buses)	25	Diesel
	New Flyer Low Floor Restyled D40LFR	2009	40 ft (12 m)	9600–9613 (14 buses)	10 retiring
		2010		9614–9644 (31 buses)	17 retiring		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)	5	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)	7905–7950 (46 buses)	16 (Under delivery)	Diesel

On Order

Builder and model	Length	Year	Fleet number	Fuel type	Notes
Gillig Low Floor	29 ft (8.8 m)	2024	7951–???? (? buses)	Diesel	7951 supposedly built at the Gillig Facility To replace the 2008 Orion VII NG

Retired Fleet

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			Leased in 2006, ex-LACMTA
1989–90	Transportation Manufacturing Corporation RTS-06 (T70-606)	7953L-7954L			Leased in 2006, ex-Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS)
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			Leased in 2006 Previously operated by New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA), and Valley Coach Sold to TheBus after the lease expired.
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 D40LFR	9700–9751	2022-2024
	New Flyer Low Floor Restyled D35LFR	9754–9769	2023-2024

Divisions

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, 7905-7906, 7908-7912, 7919-7920, 7922, 7923, 7925-7926, 9616, 9618-9619, 9621-9624, 9626, 9629, 9634, 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, 7913-7917, 7918, 7927-7928, 7930 9600-9606, 9608-9609, 9613, 9631, 9635, 9641-9643, 9649, 9663, 9669, 9671-9674, 9676-9678, 9770-9774, 9783	North, South, and West County Routes

References

1. Lynton, Stephen J. (1985-09-27). "Fairfax Bus Service to Begin". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2015-12-11.
2. "Fairfax County Transit Development Plan Fiscal Year 2016 – Fiscal Year 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-03-31.
3. "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. "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. "Fairfax Connector Service Changes, Including Two New Routes, Go Into Effect March 30, 2019 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
19. "Fairfax Connector Returns to Full Service, Launches New and Enhanced Bus Routes on August 29 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
20. "Fairfax Connector Resumes Fare Collection, Launches New and Enhanced Service January 4, 2021 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
21. "Fairfax Connector Announces Changes to Existing Bus Service Effective October 1, 2022 | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
22. "Fairfax Connector Announces Service Changes Effective May 16 - Fairfax County, Virginia". Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
23. "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. "Herndon-Reston Bus Service Review - Approved Service Changes | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
26. "Reston-Herndon Connector Service | Connector". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
27. "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. "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

• Fairfax Connector website