Fairfax Connector fares to increase for first time in seven years

The price of taking Fairfax Connector is officially going up.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the bus system’s first fare increase in seven years without discussion at a meeting Tuesday. Starting on July 29, fares will jump about 12% from $2 to $2.25 for the base rate and from $4.25 to $4.80 for express fares.

The change was proposed by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to bring its rates in line with Metrobus, which raised its base rate from $2 to $2.25 as of July 1.

The base fare for older adults and people with disabilities will jump 10 cents to $1.10.

For one route, however, the new policy will represent a decrease in fares. The Reston North-Pentagon Express (Route 599) will lower its fare from $7.50 to $4.80 to match other express buses, and senior and disabled riders can take the bus for $2.40, a reduction from $3.75.

Circulator routes that are currently fare-free, including routes 351, 352, and 353 in Springfield, won’t be affected, according to a staff report. The Wolf Trap Express (Route 480), which provides round-trip transportation between Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and the McLean Metro station, will still cost $5.

“New farebox stickers will be installed over the next two weeks and an updated Fares & Policies brochure will be available online,” FCDOT said in a press release. “…Printed versions will be available and distributed throughout the county as soon as possible after July 29, 2024.”

According to FCDOT, the Connector last raised its fares on June 25, 2017. Since then, the county has introduced a new policy letting kids under 12 ride for free if they’re accompanied by a paying adult, and older, low-income riders can get a 50% discount.

The county had considered making the bus system completely fare-free, but the proposal was ultimately tabled in December 2022 over concerns that the loss of revenue could affect the quality of service.

Staff estimate that the newly approved fare increases will produce $1.1 million in additional revenue “based on current ridership projections and the impact of fare changes on ridership,” per the report for the Board of Supervisors.

Last month, Fairfax Connector implemented new and revised routes to support the newly opened Monument Drive commuter garage and the upcoming Springfield Commuter Parking Garage, which is expected to launch later this summer.

A second phase of service changes in the Centreville, Chantilly, Vienna, and Tysons (CCVT), and Franconia-Springfield areas are currently being considered. FCDOT staff will present their recommendations, including two new routes with stops at the Monument garage, this fall.