Fairfax County proposes free Connector rides for children

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proposing to allow children ages 5-11 years old to ride for free on Connector buses when they’re with a paying adult.

FCDOT will hold a virtual community meeting on the proposed changes on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Access the meeting here.

Currently, only up to two children ages 4 and under traveling with a paying adult can ride free.

Related story: Bus improvement projects underway

A pilot program – the Transit Ridership Incentive Program – to provide half-price fares for lower-income riders was approved by the Board of Supervisors last year and will begin in March.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded Fairfax County $5.49 million for a three-year, half-fare pilot program for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

FCDOT will work with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness to identify eligible individuals and provide half-fare SmarTrip cards available to them.

Reduced fares on Connector buses are currently available for individuals age 65 and older and those with disabilities. Special bus passes allow middle and high school students to ride free on Connector buses and certain Metrobus routes between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The move to reduced or free bus fares is a national trend as localities try to regain customers after ridership plummeted during the pandemic.

A law passed by the D.C. Council in January makes Metrobus rides free starting in July for routes originating in the district. Ridership on the City of Alexandria’s DASH bus system has soared since the city adopted a free-fare pilot program in 2021.