The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has unveiled its DRAFT Bus Rapid Transit Action Plan. This draft BRT Action Plan (previously referred to as a Preliminary Deployment Plan for a regional BRT system) builds upon NVTA’s BRT investments to date to create a regionally connected BRT system providing fast, frequent and reliable transit service. Developed with the help of a multi-agency BRT Planning Working Group established by NVTA in early 2021, the Action Plan evaluates the impact of, and opportunities and challenges with, 28 potential BRT routes serving multiple areas in Northern Virginia, as well as popular destinations in Maryland and Washington, DC.

NVTA is currently accepting comments on its draft plan through May. For more information, please click the link above. 

Alexandria's Bus Partners

Alexandria coordinates with a number of bus partners on projects in and around the City including:

• DASH Bus (Alexandria Transit Company)- is a FREE public bus system in Alexandria, Virginia that connects the city to the Pentagon and other transit systems. DASH buses connect to Metrobus, Metrorail, VRE and Amtrak. 
• The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA)- was created in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. The paratransit service, MetroAccess, began in 1994. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. 
• Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC)- serves as a regional forum for the discussion and analysis of transit issues. Founded in 1964, in part to represent the interests of the Commonwealth during the establishment of WMATA, NVTC is charged with the funding and stewardship of WMATA and the VRE, which it co-owns. Because Northern Virginia is also home to six bus systems, NVTC works across jurisdictional boundaries to coordinate transit service.
• Fairfax Connector- is the largest local bus system in the Northern Virginia region transporting approximately 26,000 passengers on 93 routes daily. There are several routes that pass through the City of Alexandria. 
• ART (Arlington Transit)- is Arlington’s local bus service. Every year, millions of riders use ART as a stress-free solution to get to work, school, shopping, restaurants, medical appointments, and connect with the rest of the region.

Learn more about regional bus projects below. 

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is leading the planning process for Envision Route 7, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system designed to connect the Mark Center in Alexandria to Tysons via Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners and Falls Church along the Route 7 (King Street) corridor. In Alexandria the routing would follow the West End Transitway along N. Beauregard Street and King Street north of N. Beauregard Street into Fairfax County.

In 2022, Metro launched the Better Bus Network Redesign project, the first comprehensive redesign of Metrobus service in its 50-year history. Through two years of research, planning, and outreach, Metro developed the 2025 Better Bus Network, which will launch on June 29, 2025.

The network was developed to:

• Better connect people to where they want to go
• Provide more frequent, consistent bus service
• Advance access to opportunity for Equity Focus Communities
• Make bus service easier to understand
• Prepare us for the future

Based on recommendations from a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) study, Fairfax County Department of Transportation is working with residents, community stakeholders, and partner agencies to plan, design, and construct a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the Richmond Highway Corridor. 

Visit the resources below to learn more: