Transit group slated to move forward with new Reston-Arlington bus service

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission plans to fund a new express bus service, part of efforts aimed at reducing congestion connected with Interstate 66 and the Beltway.

The commission approved a plan yesterday to fund the bus service with over $5.1 million for two years. Routes would run from the Reston South Park and Ride lot to key destinations in Arlington County that include the Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City.

With the new service, proposed by Fairfax County, funding would also cover buying six diesel buses to operate the 10 morning and 10 evening peak direction trips.

More environmental friendly vehicles require significant infrastructure, such as charging stations, which weren’t part of the proposal, officials said.

The commission’s approval sends the matter before the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which could vote on the matter Oct. 20.

Two other projects and $400,000 in administrative costs were included in the NVTC plan, too.

A second project involves $85,000 in funding for an effort by OmniRide to provide a $200 a month incentive payment to newly formed, eligible vanpools.

The third project calls for nearly $155,000 to subsidize and reduce fares of the Fairfax Connector express bus service between the Reston North Park and Ride and stops in Arlington County that include the Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City. It would reduce fares from $7.50 to $4.25.

The three projects are part of a Commuter Choice funding program of which the NVTC approved an initial batch of projects last year. Toll revenues fund the program.