A local program providing free rides in areas with limited transit access has expanded into South Arlington.
The “microtransit” program recently announced it will now serve residents in and around Green Valley, Pentagon City, Crystal City and Douglas Park.
The pilot program was launched in April for two areas in northwestern portions of Arlington: Westover Village and all or some of the neighborhoods of Rock Spring, Yorktown, East Falls Church, Williamsburg, Leeway Overlee, Hall’s Hill and Old Dominion.
The original pilot area has been recast as Zone 1, while the new area in southeastern Arlington is Zone 2.
Through an app, riders in Zone 2 can request a pickup in a smaller vehicle and connect to stops including the Walter Reed Community Center, the Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stations, the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center and Fort Scott Park.
Katie O’Brien, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Services, said the expanded service areas were selected through prior transit planning efforts over the past decade and community feedback.
Passengers get their first six rides for free and now they’ll pay even less. The cost for most passengers is dropping from $4.50 to $3.00. Reduced fares, which are offered for seniors and students, were also lowered slightly from $2.25 to $2. Children under 5 are free while additional passengers are $2 each.
“The fare adjustment is intended to remove cost barriers, increase ridership, support equitable access, and generate a more accurate assessment of demand across both service zones,” O’Brien said.
Zone 1 was also expanded to include Lubber Run Community Center, Langston Brown Community Center and Marymount University.
The program is 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.
The project is a partnership between Arlington Transit and public transit provider Via. It was launched to provide services in portions of the county that don’t have enough ridership to justify more investment in buses.
It is funded through the end of fiscal 2027 with money from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and matching local funds.
