When I participated in third annual Amazing Commute Race, I was introduced to a commuter bus traveling from Franconia-Springfield that took less time to get to work and saved money on parking. With more than 81% of Fairfax County residents driving to work, commuter buses could alleviate both congestion and cost for commuters. Most of the time when people have misconceptions about public transportation, they believe that driving alone in their personal car will be a faster mode. However, there are many commuter bus options with routes in Arlington that can deliver timely service with competitive fares.
Commuter Bus Options from the Suburbs
For me, trying a commuter bus was a way to test out a new mode of transportation that I had not previously considered. My experience taking the 395 commuter bus from Backlick North Park and Ride lot was great. The parking lot has a total of 264 parking spaces and I was able to board the bus with ease, just a short distance from my parking spot.
As the weather starts to get colder with the chance of snow and ice it’s always good to have a backup commute method in mind. Below are some commuter bus options that you might be able to consider.
OmniRide
Operated by Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), OmniRide services the following areas:
Starts from: Manassas or Woodbridge
Services: Pentagon, Crystal City, and the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor
Payment options:
SmarTrip cards are accepted on all PRTC buses, bus transfers are valid up to three hours.
Fare (one way) with SmarTrip card: $6.90
LC Transit
Operated by Loudoun County Transit, LC Transit services the following areas:
Starts from: Leesburg, Ashburn, or the Dulles area
Services: Rosslyn, the Pentagon, and Crystal City
Payment options:
SmarTrip cards are accepted on all LC Transit buses, with no transfer option available.
Fare (one way) with SmarTrip card: $9.00
Fairfax Connector
Operated by Fairfax County, Fairfax Connector services the following areas:
Stars from: Reston or Springfield
Services: Crystal City and the Pentagon
Payment options:
SmarTrip cards are accepted on all Fairfax Connector buses, bus transfers are valid up to two hours.
Fares (one way) with SmarTrip card: $3.75 to $7.30, depending on the route
Request Your Custom Commute
If you want to spend less time behind the wheel, take the bus to Arlington, trust me, you will thank me later. You’ll be surprised by the speed, ease, and low cost of riding one of the many commuter bus options in the DC region.
Need help planning your new commute? Arlington Transportation Partners can help through our custom commute planner.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners
