Arlington’s new “microtransit” pilot program is launching next week, providing on-demand rides in portions of the county with limited transit options.
The program launches next Monday, April 13. It will be available in two service zones: one in Westover Village and the other in a large swath of northwestern Arlington, including all or some of the neighborhoods of Rock Spring, Yorktown, East Falls Church, Williamsburg, Leeway Overlee, Hall’s Hill and Old Dominion.
Shared rides will connect passengers to stops including the Madison Community Center, the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center, the East Falls Church Metro station, Westover Library, VHC Health and the Ballston Metro station.
“In these locations, riders will have access to microtransit instead of traditional bus service,” Katie O’Brien, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow. “Rather than running buses on fixed routes and schedules, service will be provided on demand, based on when and where people need to travel.”
The program will be in service Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and from 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
For most passengers, the cost of a ride is $4.50. It will also offer the following discounted rates:
- Seniors, people with disabilities, and K-12 students: $2.25
- Additional passengers: $2.25 each
- Rides connecting to or from the East Falls Church Metro station and the Ballston Metro station: $2.25
- Children under 5: free
Passengers can get six free rides through May 13. They can book rides via the MICRO Arlington Microtransit app (available for download starting next week) or by calling 571-517-4181.
“Simply enter your pickup and dropoff locations, meet your driver at the designated location, and we’ll get you to your destination,” says a webpage for the program.
Arlington Transit, in partnership with public transit provider Via, launched the project in response to limited bus ridership in much of northwest Arlington.
“Rather than eliminating ART service entirely, Arlington County has opted to implement microtransit service as a stopgap,” a project page says.
The pilot project is supported through the end of fiscal year 2027 with funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and matching local funds.
“At the end of the pilot, the County will review how the program performed and decide whether to continue it, expand it to other areas, transition the service to fixed‑route buses, or explore other options that best meet community needs,” O’Brien said.
