Fairfax Connector Takes Over 5 Metrobus Routes This Weekend

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax Connector is set to take over five Metrobus routes starting on Saturday, July 10.

Elected officials and Fairfax County Department of Transportation officials gathered outside the West Falls Church Metro Tuesday for a news conference ahead of the changes. On July 10, Metrobus route 3A will become 803, 3T will become 703, 15K will become 715, 29C will become 834, and 29W will become 835. There will also be minor changes to five Fairfax Connector routes.

Posters notifying riders of changes are located throughout the Fairfax Connector network, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at the Tuesday news conference.

"These five routes serve key areas of Fairfax County, linking communities of McLean, East Falls Church as well as the West Falls Church and Pentagon Metrorail stations," said McKay. "Amazingly, these routes serve approximately 69,000 residents and provide connections and access to over 36,000 jobs within Fairfax County."

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust noted that Fairfax Connector now has 100 routes serving the county with the new changes. He noted that aside from Fairfax Connector taking over five Metrobus routes, there will be improvements to the 462 and 467 routes between Dunn Loring and Tysons Corner Metro stations that serves Maple Avenue in Vienna. Another improvement will impact the 171 route, adding weekend service between the Huntington Metro and Museum of the Army.

Foust also noted the anticipated opening of the Silver Line phase 2 and enhanced bus service to connect the new Reston, Herndon and Innovation Metro stations in 2022.

"Fairfax Connector continues to look for new ways to serve our community," Foust said. "Buses are a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and relaxing way to get where you need to go. Every time there are proposed changes to our service, we make sure that the community has a chance to weigh in on those changes."

Here are the former Metrobus routes becoming Fairfax Connector routes:

Route 703: Pimmit Hills – West Falls Church (replacing Metrobus Route 3T)

• Weekday and Saturday service, connecting Pimmit Hills and Tysons to the McLean and West Falls Church Metrorail Stations.
• Every 30 minutes during weekday rush hours, and every 60 minutes during weekday non-rush hours and on Saturdays.

Route 715: East Falls Church – Dolly Madison (replacing Metrobus Route 15K)

• Weekday rush hour service every 30 minutes with improved connectivity linking McLean, Salona Village and Chesterbrook Gardens to the East Falls Church Metrorail Station.

Route 803: Annandale Road – East Falls Church (replacing Metrobus Route 3A)

• Weekday and Saturday service, linking Lake Barcroft, Annandale, and North Springfield to the East Falls Church Metrorail Station.
• Every 30 minutes during weekday rush hours; every 40 to 60 minutes during weekday non-rush hours; and every 45 minutes on weekends.

Route 834: Pentagon – Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale Campus Route (replacing Metrobus Route 29C)

• Provides weekday rush hour service every 30 minutes linking the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale and Lincolnia to the Pentagon Metrorail Station.

Route 835: Braeburn Drive – Pentagon - Route 835 (replaces Metrobus Route 29W)

• Provides weekday rush hour service every 30 minutes linking the Northern Virginia Community College and Willow Woods communities to the Pentagon Metrorail Station.

Here are the Fairfax Connector route changes as of July 10:

Route 171: Richmond Highway

• Minor schedule changes to improve connectivity between the Huntington Metrorail Station and the Army Museum on the weekends.
• Continues to provide weekday and weekend service every 30 minutes between the Huntington Metrorail Station and the Lorton Virginia Railway Express Station.

Route 422: Boone Boulevard – Howard Avenue

• This route will be discontinued due to low ridership and duplicate service provided by Routes 401, 402, 462, and 467.

Route 462: Dunn Loring – Tysons Corner

• Minor operational adjustment to improve connectivity between the Dunn Loring and Tysons Corner Metrorail Stations, and access to employment and activity centers along Maple Avenue in Vienna.
• Operates every 30 minutes during weekdays and weekends.

Route 467: Dunn Loring – Tysons Corner

• Operates weekday midday and evenings, and on weekends between the Dunn Loring and Tysons Corner Metrorail Stations servicing Maple Avenue, as well as Old Courthouse Road to Gallows Road.
• Operates every 40 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday service has been added, also operating every 40 minutes.

Route 630: Stringfellow Road – Centreville

• Improved connections along Stringfellow Road with access to a new senior living facility at Stringfellow Road and Autumn Willow Drive.
• Continues to provide midday and weekend service along Stringfellow Road between Lee Highway (Route 29), and the Stringfellow Road Park-and-Ride.

For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector.