Woodbridge, Va. –– As work on the High Occupancy Toll lanes continues on the Capital Beltway, state transportation officials want more drivers use the Tysons Corner Express bus to get around traffic delays.
The bus runs between the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express Station and Tysons Corner, and is one of two state-funded buses that provide free wireless internet to riders. It uses the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstate 95, but then uses the regular travel lanes on the Beltway to make it the rest of the trek.
“As part of our plan to keep traffic moving during this intense construction phase, we strive to move more people with fewer cars,” said Virginia Mega Projects Program Director John Lynch. “By providing vanpool incentives, express bus services and other ways to get around, commuters have more control over how they want to spend their time instead of getting stuck behind the wheel of a car.”
The push to get more people to use the bus comes while ridership numbers are going up.
Operators logged the express bus’ highest ridership to date with 151 people, up from 125 in August.
While that number doesn’t mean each of the four morning and afternoon trips to and from Tysons Corner are packed full of people, transit officials say the bus is catching on.
“Overall, ridership numbers have been growing every month since the spring. When the service launched in November 2009, we projected that in one year we would be carrying an average of 120 passengers per day, but that figure has already been surpassed,” said Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.
Two shuttles that circulate around Tysons Corner also make it easier for those to connect to where they’re going.
An eastern shuttle service picks up express passengers at the West Park Transit station, and serves stops at Northrop Grumman, MITRE 1 and Capital One, said Rodrigo.
A lunchtime shuttle also runs every 10 minutes between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., offering two loop routes around the suburb turned city.
The first Tyson’s Express bus leaves the VRE station in Woodbridge at 6:10 a.m., serves a commuter lot off Gordon Boulevard east of I – 95, and then takes riders to the Tysons Corner Transit Center, West Park transit center and to West Park after Jones Branch Drive.
The first bus bound for Woodbridge leaves Tysons Transit Center at 4 p.m. and the last at 6:40 p.m.
Riders are charged $3.30 for a one-way fare, or $2.65 for a one-way fare when paying with a SmarTrip card.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will fund the $3 million bus until the end of HOT lane construction in December 2012.
The state also funds a Tysons Express bus to and from Loudoun County.
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In this episode of the Potomac Local News podcast, we sit down with Don Pannell from Prince William Water to discuss the vital role of water infrastructure in Northern Virginia. From emergency preparedness plans to lessons learned from recent events in Richmond, Don shares insights into how Prince William Water ensures reliable service for over 300,000 residents.
Key topics include:
How Prince William Water maintains a 99.999% reliability metric.
The importance of proactive maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
Collaborative efforts with Fairfax Water, including the Occoquan Crossing project.
Educational programs like the Water Academy to engage the community.
Don also addresses concerns about future water needs as the region grows and sheds light on the investments required to maintain critical infrastructure.
[Photo courtesy of Prince William County Schools]Prince William County Schools (PWCS) received a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to support computer science classes in the district….
The National Weather Service warns of wintry weather this weekend, with light snow or a wintry mix possible late Friday into Saturday morning. Precipitation should turn to rain by midday Saturday, but models show varying chances for light snowfall on Sunday, particularly in western areas.
A powerful Arctic air mass will arrive Sunday night, bringing the coldest temperatures in five years. Highs on Monday, Inauguration Day, will struggle to reach the teens and low 20s, with wind chills dropping to -15°F in the mountains and near 0°F elsewhere. Bitter cold will persist through Wednesday, with overnight lows below zero in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
We’ll keep you posted with updates on the forecast.
Two lost dogs are currently waiting to reunite with their families at the Stafford County Animal Shelter. If you recognize these pets, please contact the shelter as soon as possible.
Gray and White Mixed Breed Dog
Gender: Male, intact
Weight: 22 pounds
Found: January 14, 2025, on Carriage Hill Road, 22405
Details: No collar, no microchip
Female Yorkie
Weight: Approximately 6 pounds
Found: January 13, 2025, on Little Oak Road, 22405
Details: Wearing a sweater (put on by shelter staff), no collar, microchipped but not registered to the current owner
Proof of ownership, such as a photo ID, is required to claim these dogs.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
