Kids will ride free on Connector buses
Children age 12 and younger can now ride for free on Fairfax Connector buses when accompanied by a paying adult. The Board of Supervisors approved the new bus policy on April 11.
The free fares take effect May 1.
Current policy allows free bus rides for up to two children, ages 4 and younger, per adult. Under the new rule, there is no limit on the number of children 12 and under who can ride for free with a paying adult.
The expansion of free bus rides for kids supports the One Fairfax policy “by increasing access to transit services and reducing barriers,” says Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay. Staff will perform a service equity analysis once the change has gone into effect to help county leaders understand the impact of the new policy.
“We hope to see no negative impacts on those who rely on public transportation, only positive ones, while introducing an entire generation to the benefits of public transportation,” McKay says.
Fairfax County already has other fare reduction programs in place, including:
- a half-fare discount for seniors and passengers with disabilities,
- a free student bus pass for Fairfax County middle and high school students on all Connector and Fairfax CUE routes,
- free transfers to and from Metrobuses, and
- the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) half-fare discount for economically disadvantaged residents.