Since September of 1985, Fairfax County has provided an alternative to WMATA's Metrobus called the Fairfax Connector. The Fairfax Connector began operation in the southern end of Fairfax County from Huntington Metro Station to Mount Vernon and Fort Belvoir. Today the Connector has more than fifty routes providing public transportation to most of Fairfax County. The northern end of the county including Reston and Herndon is now well served by buses. Riders pay fares in by

• cash (exact change only);
• valid transfer tickets or tokens;
• bus pass cards from regional bus systems;
• Virginia Railway Express (VRE) passes;
• Translink passes or;
•  with Metro SmarTrip cards.

The basic fare for a bus trip is usually a dollar, but certain express routes range up to three dollars. When transferring from Metrorail transfer, fares are discounted significantly. The dollar fare is discounted to 35 cents (exact change) with a transfer ticker and the three dollar fair is discounted to $2.10 exact change. Pennies are not accepted as fare. Drivers do not carry cash and do not make change.

Fares for seniors are discounted to either $0.50 or $1.00. Seniors get free fare with a Metrorail transfer. Up to two children under age 5 may ride for free with a paying adult. The disabled ride free on all routes.

The are are a number of simple restrictions and rules on the Fairfax Connector. Smoking, eating, drinking and playing radio or video devices without earphones are strictly prohibited. Strollers must be folded on the bus. Service animals are permitted on the bus. Other small animals are permitted only if transported in a secure container.

Bus transfer tickets or tokens are issued FREE to customers paying fares with cash or tokens. Transfers are valid for two additional hours from time of boarding for an unlimited number of rides. A transfer cannot be redeemed for another transfer. VRE, Translink and bus passes serve as transfers.

For three dollars, a rider can purchase a regional one day bus pass. This pass is valid for an unlimited number of rides on local routes of participating regional bus systems on the day purchased. The one-day pass has a value of $1.25 per trip when used on express routes. The one day pass expires at midnight, Sunday-Thursday and at 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

North Fairfax County Schedules : Fairfax Connector bus routes serving Fairfax County Government Center, Herndon, Reston, Tysons Corner, Crystal City, Pentagon including service to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA, Dunn Loring/Merrifield, and Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Stations.

South Fairfax County Schedules : Fairfax Connector bus routes serving Belle View, Fort Hunt, Fullerton Industrial Park, Kingstowne, Richmond Highway, Springfield, Tysons Corner, Pentagon including service to the Huntington, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield, and Dunn Loring/Merrifield Metrorail Stations.

Schedules for Mobile Devices - Get up to date schedules for Northern Virginia area transits services delivered to your handheld device by CommuterPage.com.

Fairfax Connector Fare Chart

Fares are subject to change without notice. These fares were last updated January 2008 and as of November 15th they are still presumed to be (but not guaranteed to be) accurate.