Officials are shutting down the free Tysons Connector shuttle service later this month, citing insufficient ridership. The free midday shuttle started last November to provide area businesses, residents and shoppers a travel option within Tysons. The idea was to get drivers out of their cars and off the roads as an already strained area grew even more congested with construction of the Dulles Metrorail project.
As of July, the shuttle picked up about 91 people per day as it operated weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. It will cease running on Dec. 30.
The Examiner reported in February that the shuttle averages fewer than one passenger per run — the bus seats 26. Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity called the shuttle “well ahead of its time,” and said it would remain empty until new Metro stations bring more people to Tysons Corner seeking ways to get around other than by car.
The Fairfax County Board had considered shutting down the shuttle after the low ridership numbers were reported, but chose to give it a few more months. Ridership never picked up.
The $1.2 million program was operated by the county, but funded by the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Officials recommended several other Metrobus and Fairfax Connector bus routes as replacement, though each option is not free, unlike the shuttle. Officials also suggested use of the Tysons Express, a bus service to the Tysons Corner area from Woodbridge and Loudoun.
Kytja Weir contributed to this report.
