Arlington Transit

Arlington Transit (ART) is a bus transit system that operates in Arlington County, Virginia, and is managed by the county government.

Arlington Transit
Arlington Transit NABI 31 LFW CNG on Columbia Pike
ParentArlington County, Virginia
FoundedNovember 1998 (1998-11)[1]
Headquarters2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
Service areaArlington County, VA
Service typeBus
AllianceWMATA
Routes16 [2]
StationsShirlington Bus Station, Ballston–MU station
Fleet
  • Arboc
  • NABI
  • New Flyer
[3][4]
Daily ridership10,600 (Q1 2016)[5]
Annual ridership2,939,100 (2015)[6]
Fuel typeCNG
OperatorNational Express Transit Corp
WebsiteArlington Transit
An Arlington Transit Bus Stop Sign at South Four Mile Run Drive.

The bus system provides service within Arlington County, and connects to Metrobus, nearby Metrorail stations, Virginia Railway Express, and other local bus systems. Most ART routes serve to connect county neighborhoods to local Metrorail stations, as well as the Shirlington Bus Station during morning and evening peak periods. It includes part of the Pike Ride service along Columbia Pike, which is shared with WMATA.

ART is operated by National Express Transit Corporation and currently operates 81 buses. ART provides a fixed-route bus service within Arlington County on sixteen routes and carries almost three million passengers annually. As part of the Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emission project (AIRE), the entire ART bus fleet runs on clean-burning Compressed Natural Gas in order to be environmentally friendly in Arlington County.[7] ART’s purpose is to supplement the regional rail and bus service provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), providing local bus service, and connecting to neighborhoods, businesses, and departments within Arlington County.

History

Before ART's inception, WMATA was the only transit agency that served Arlington County, providing both bus and rail service. Some Metrobus routes served the neighborhoods of Arlington County, connecting them to the Metrorail system. In November 1998, the Arlington County board created the ART service, as part of their effort to improve transportation in the county.[1] ART’s first route served Crystal City, while other routes were still operated by Metrobus.

On September 7, 2003, a new service was started along Columbia Pike, known as Pike Ride.[8][9] It was first operated by Metrobus and served by the 16 line, heading to Pentagon Station. On April 7, 2003, ART began providing Pike Ride routes by introducing ART Route 41.[10] Route 41 started serving points west of South Glebe Road, including the neighborhood of Arlington Mill. Service was then increased with ART routes 74 and 75. Route 74 provided service to the eastern portion of the area, and the neighborhoods of Arlington Village and Arlington View. Route 75 served the neighborhood of Arlington Mill, along with Route 41. ART Route 73 was also part of the Pike Ride system, which served the eastern portion of Columbia Pike, along with Route 74, and the neighborhood of Arlington Heights. Route 73 was discontinued on September 30, 2005 due to low ridership.

In 2006, ART began increasing service, both by acquiring Metrobus routes and by bringing service to more neighborhoods. Metrobus Route 24P was the first route to be converted to ART, as Route 42. In 2009, route 42 was expanded to full week service, replacing the 24P. The GEORGE bus system was originally operated by Metrobus, until the City of Falls Church transferred operations to ART.[11] This bus system served as a feeder to Metrorail stations at the east and west ends of the City. The GEORGE service was ultimately suspended in 2010 due to budget constraints.[12]

In 2008, the Shirlington Bus Station, also known as the Shirlington Transit Center, opened in The Village at Shirlington.[13][14] The Shirlington Transit Center is located at South Quincy Street near the intersection of South Randolph Street and 31st Street South. This bus station is also located near Shirley Highway (I-395). This bus station is accessible from Shirlington Circle, having buses heading to and from Pentagon and Pentagon City Stations. With the opening of the new bus station, ART and Metrobus began using it as major transfer point. Shirlington Station connects most bus routes to nearby Metrorail stations, as well as the neighborhood of Fairlington. Shirlington Station also provides access to the Village at Shirlington, as it provides local restaurants, arts and entertainments, Shirlington Branch Library, and stores.[15] In addition to bus service, the Shirlington Transit Center houses the Arlington Commuter Store, where it sells WMATA SmarTrip cards and iRide SmarTrip cards. In 2014, the Alexandria Transit Company’s DASH bus began serving this station with the AT9 route, connecting it to the City of Alexandria between Mark Center and Potomac Yard.[16]

The county has been converting its bus fleet to Compressed Natural Gas, to follow the Arlington County AIRE project, and to be environmentally friendly. ART began this project by starting with its order of NABI LFW buses in 2007.[7] Older buses, as well as the GEORGE buses, ran on diesel fuel. Since the GEORGE bus system was suspended, the ART fleet run only on CNG fuel. From 2007, ART increased and improved on its bus routes to reduce crowding. In 2011, ART ordered the Designline EcoSaver CNG-Electric Hybrid buses.[17] These buses are different than the other buses, as other agencies ordered Diesel-electric Hybrid buses, although the CNG-Electric Hybrid buses are expected to reduce emissions and noise pollutions in the county. In 2013, ART removed them from service due to brake failure issues.[18] Since these buses didn’t return in service because of reliability and safety reasons, ART returns to provide CNG fueled buses only.

Ridership

ART carries over 10,000 passengers per weekday[5] within Arlington County. Route 41, which runs through Columbia Pike, is ART's busiest route with about 2,000 rides per weekday, with the 15 minute peak period. In 2017, ART ordered 13 new 40' New Flyer Xcelsior CNG buses, which are different from its fleet, as NABI discontinued its LFW models in 2015.[4] These buses went in service in September, 2018 on routes 41, 43, and 55 to provide reliable service, and reduce crowding.

Fares
ART fleet of CNG-powered buses at Crystal City yard.

As of June 25, 2017, the ART fare structure is as follows:[19]

  • All bus routes are $2.00 for riders using cash or SmarTrip cards.
  • Virginia Hospital Center employees and Arlington employees that carries a hospital ID rides routes 51 and 52 for free.
  • Per paying adult, children under five years of age rides ART for free.
  • Students, senior citizens and disabled patrons only pay $1.00.

Transfers and passes

As of January 4, 2009, ART no longer issues or accepts paper transfers. Riders must use a SmarTrip card to get the rail-to-bus discount or to transfer free from bus to bus. Bus-to-bus free transfer time from ART to ART is within a two hours period. Bus-to-bus transfer between ART to/from Metrobus is also free. Transfers from ART to/from Metrorail receives a $0.50 discount. Starting September 3, 2013, students of Arlington Public Schools that attends middle, or high school may obtain an iRide SmarTrip Card that allows students of Arlington County to ride ART Buses for the discounted student rate of $1.00.[20][21] On June 25, 2017, the iRide SmarTrip Card half-fare program extended to elementary school students, instead of having them paying a full fare.[22]

SmarTrip Cards and iRide SmarTrip Cards can be purchased at the Arlington Commuter Stores, located at Shirlington Transit Center, Ballston-MU Station, Rosslyn Station, Crystal City Station, and Pentagon Station. Arlington Mobile Commuter Stores also sells SmarTrip and iRide SmarTrip cards within Arlington County, as well as Washington, D.C. and Alexandria Union Station. iRide SmarTrips are sold exclusively in Arlington Commuter Stores, while regular SmarTrips are also available in WMATA Metrorail stations.

Fleet
Image Builder Model Length Year Fleet Number Fuel Propulsion Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) Notes
Arboc Spirit of Mobility 28 ft (8.534 m) 2011 5083–5088
(6 buses)		 CNG
  • GMC Vortec 6.0L
  • used on the 61 and 62 routes[23]
  • Currently sidelined from service. To be replaced.
Spirit of Mobility 28 ft (8.534 m) 2013 5040–5043, 5050–5053
(8 buses)
  • GMC Vortec 6.0L
NABI 35-LFW 35 ft (10.67 m) 2007 5271–5275, 5277–5279
(8 buses)
  • Cummins Westport C Gas Plus
  • ZF 5HP592C
  • 5273 is out of service due to an accident[24]
35-LFW 35 ft (10.67 m) 2008 5252–5258, 5282, 5284, 5286, 5288, 5292
(12 buses)
  • Cummins Westport ISL G
  • ZF 6HP592C
31-LFW 31 ft (9.449 m) 2010–2011 5060, 5062–5064, 5066, 5068–5073, 5076–5079
(15 buses)
  • Cummins Westport ISL G
  • ZF HP592C
40-LFW 40 ft (12.19 m) 2014–2015 5054–5059, 5061, 5067, 5091–5099
(17 buses)
  • Cummins Westport ISL G
  • Allison B400R
New Flyer Industries XN40 40 ft (12.19 m) 2017 5281, 5283, 5285, 5287, 5289, 5291, 5293–5299
(13 buses)[4]
  • Cummins Westport L9N
  • Allison B400R
  • Entered in service on September 1, 2018
XN35 35 ft (10.67 m) 2019 5300–5313
(14 buses)
  • Cummins Westport L9N
  • Allison B400R
  • Entered in service on December 30, 2019
  • To replace the cutaway buses.

Retired fleet
Image Builder Manufacture Model Order Year Fleet Number Powertrain (Engine/Transmission) Year Retired Notes
Thomas Dennis SLF230 2002 5296-5299
(4 Buses)
  • Cummins ISB
  • Allison B300R
 2013
  • Ex WMATA buses, originally numbered 3951-3954.
  • These buses were operated for City of Falls Church for services between East and West Falls Church under the "GEORGE" brand
  • These buses ran on Diesel fuel
  • Repainted to the ART scheme in 2010, when the GEORGE bus system was suspended.
  • Replaced by the 2014-2015 NABI 40-LFW.
Designline EcoSaver 2011 5047–5049
(3 buses)[25]
  • Capstone C30 MicroTurbine
 2019
  • These buses ran on CNG-electric Hybrid
  • Suddenly retired due to safety and reliability concerns.[3]

Routes
Route Name Terminals Major streets History Notes
41
 Columbia Pike – Ballston – Courthouse Dinwiddie & Columbia Pike Court House Station S. Greenbrier Street, Columbia Pike, S. Dinwiddie Street, Glebe Road, Clarendon Blvd, Wilson Blvd a Pike Ride route[26]
42
 Ballston – Pentagon Ballston–MU Station Pentagon Station (Weekdays) & Pentagon City Station (Weekends) Wilson Blvd, Washington Blvd, S. Courthouse Road, Columbia Pike [27]
43
 Crystal City – Rosslyn – Courthouse Crystal City Station Court House Station Crystal City VRE Station, Crystal City station, Rosslyn station, and Court House station Limited stops. weekdays only[28]
45
 Columbia Pike – DHS/Sequoia – Rosslyn Dinwiddie & Columbia Pike Rosslyn Station Columbia Pike, Clarendon Blvd, Wilson Blvd, Washington Blvd, S. Courthouse Road This route originally terminated at South Four Mile Run Dr., at Columbia Pike [29]
51
 Ballston – Virginia Hospital Center Ballston-MU Station N. George Mason Dr & Lee Highway N. George Mason Dr, Washington Blvd, N. Fairfax Dr Service started on July 23, 2001 [30]
52
 Ballston – Virginia Hospital Center – East Falls Church Ballston-MU Station East Falls Church Station N. George Mason Dr, Washington Blvd, N. Fairfax Dr [31]
53
 Ballston – Old Glebe – East Falls Church – Westover Ballston-MU Station East Falls Church Station N. Quincy Street, Military Road, Williamsburg Blvd Runs as 53A, and 53B. weekday peak hour service only[32]
55
 East Falls Church – Lee Highway – Rosslyn East Falls Church Station Rosslyn Station Lee Highway Route 55 replaced Metrobus 3A between the Rosslyn and East Falls Church Metro Stations on December 13, 2015.[33] [34]
61
 Rosslyn – Courthouse Metro Shuttle Court House Station Rosslyn Station N. Moore Street, N. Queen Street, Wilson Blvd., N. Veitch Street, 21st Street N., Clarendon Blvd. Service started on February 3, 2003. Runs as 61A, and 61B. weekday peak hour service only[35]
62
 Courthouse – Lorcom Lane – Ballston Court House Station Ballston–MU Station N. Quincy Street, N. Utah Street, Lorcom Lane, N. Kirkwood Road, Wilson Blvd., Clarendon Blvd. Service started on February 7, 2005. weekday peak hour service only[36]
72
 Rock Springs – Ballston – Shirlington Rock Springs (Williamsburg Blvd & N. Glebe Road) Shirlington Station N. Glebe Road, George Mason Dr, S. Four Mile Run Dr Service started on December 17, 2018.[37] weekdays only[38]
74
 Douglas Park – Arlington Village – Arlington View – Pentagon City Pentagon City Station Arlington Village (Walter Reed Dr. & Columbia Pike) Walter Reed Dr., Columbia Pike, S. Barton Street, 16th Street S., 12th Street S., S. Quinn Street a Pike Ride route, weekday peak hour service only (AM to Pentagon City, PM to Arlington Village)[39]
75
 Shirlington – Wakefield H.S. – Carlin Springs – Ballston – Virginia Square Virginia Square-GMU Station Shirlington Station Wilson Blvd, N Kensington Street, Carlin Springs Road, 7th Road S, S Dinwiddie Street, Columbia Pike This route originally operated between Wakefield High School and Ballston-MU station. a Pike Ride route, weekdays only[40]
77
 Shirlington – Lyon Park – Courthouse Court House Station Shirlington Station Wilson Blvd., Clarendon Blvd., Washington Blvd., Walter Reed Dr., Arlington Mill Dr. Monday – Saturday only[41]
84
 Douglas Park – Nauck – Pentagon City Pentagon City Station Douglas Park (S. Monroe Street & 18th Street S) 19th Street S, S Nelson Street, 24th Road S, S Glebe Road weekday peak hour service only (AM to Pentagon City, PM to Douglas Park)[42]
87
 Pentagon – Army Navy Drive – Shirlington Pentagon Station (Weekdays) & Pentagon City Station (Weekends) Shirlington Station Army Navy Dr., S Glebe Road Route 87 replaced Metrobus 22B (Pentagon–Army-Navy Drive–Shirley Park Line) and ART 82 on June 29, 2009. Runs as 87A, and 87P during weekday peak hours. 87X runs during morning weekday peak hours.[43]

Former routes

These routes have been served by Arlington Transit at one point but have since been discontinued due to either low ridership, simplification to other routes, or combined into another route.

Route Name Terminals Major streets Notes and History
54
 Dominion Hills – East Falls Church Dominion Hills Historic District East Falls Church Station Wilson Blvd., McKinley Rd, Washington Blvd., N Livingston St Service started on August 22, 2016. Discontinued on June 22, 2018. weekdays only[44][45]
66
 Clarendon – Courthouse Lunch Loop Court House Station Wilson Blvd, Clarendon Blvd Discontinued on July 1, 2005. This route is free, weekday off-peak hour service only[46]
67
 Ballston – Virginia Square Lunch Loop Ballston-MU Station Wilson Blvd, N. Fairfax Dr Discontinued on January 1, 2009. This route is free, weekday off-peak hour service only[47]
73
 Arlington Heights – Penrose – Pentagon City Pentagon City Station Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.) Walter Reed Dr., Columbia Pike, S. Glebe Road , 2nd Street S., 12th Street S., S. Quinn Street Discontinued on September 30, 2005. Replaced by ART 74. a Pike Ride route, weekday peak hour service only[48]
82
 Shirlington – Nauck – Pentagon City Pentagon City Station Shirlington Station 24th Road S, S. Glebe Road Discontinued on June 29, 2009. Replaced by ART 87. weekday peak hour service only[49]
90
 Crystal City Rush Hour Service Crystal City Station S. Clark Street, Crystal Drive Discontinued in mid 2006. weekday peak hour service only[50]
91 (first use)
 Crystal City: The Shoppers’ Shuttle Crystal City Station Discontinued on January 31, 2002. This route is free, weekday off-peak hour service only
91 (second use)
 Crystal City: South 23rd Street Restaurant Row Shuttle Crystal City Station Discontinued on July, 2003. This route is free, weekday off-peak hour service only[51]
92
 Crystal City – Long Bridge Park/Boeing – Pentagon Pentagon Station Long Bridge Park S Eads St., 12 St., Crystal Dr., Long Bridge Dr. Discontinued on June 22, 2018. weekdays only[45][52]

References
  1. "Transit Development Plan: Fiscal Years 2011–2016" (PDF). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  2. "Routes". Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. "Transit Development Plan: Fiscal Years 2016–2021 Update" (PDF). Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  4. "Arlington Transit expands low-emission fleet with CNG buses from New Flyer". Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  5. "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2016" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. May 19, 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
  6. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. March 2, 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
  7. "ART and Air Quality". Arlington Transit. January 1, 2007. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  8. "Pike Ride – Bus Service on Coluumbia Pike". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009.
  9. "Pike Ride". January 1, 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  10. CommuterPage.com (April 7, 2003). "ART 41 Columbia Pike-Ballston-Courthouse". web.archive.org. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  11. "Arlington Takes Over GEORGE Bus" (PDF). June 26, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-20.
  12. "Opinion: How to Save GEORGE the Wayward Bus". March 6, 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  13. "THE Village of Shirlington: Suburban smart growth without rail transit" (PDF). July 1, 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  14. "Shirlington Bus Station". September 1, 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  15. "Shopping: Village at Shirlington". September 1, 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  16. "DASH Announces New AT9 Crosstown Route in Alexandria". Port City Wire. July 22, 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  17. "ART Debuting New CNG Electric Hybrid Buses". April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  18. "ART Bus Suffers Brake Malfunction, Rolls Down Hill". June 3, 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  19. "Fares". arlingtontransit.com. Arlington County, Virginia. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. "Student iRide SmarTrip Card". www.arlingtontransit.com. Arlington County, Virginia. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  21. "Student iRide SmarTrip Card FAQ". www.arlingtontransit.com. Arlington County, Virginia. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  22. "New ART and STAR Fares Effective June 25". www.arlingtontransit.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  23. "New Buses Join the ART Fleet". April 18, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  24. "UPDATE: ART Bus Overturns Near Columbia Pike". Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  25. "ART Debuting New CNG Electric Hybrid Buses". April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  26. "Columbia Pike-Ballston-Court House" (PDF). September 30, 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  27. "Ballston – Pentagon" (PDF). September 30, 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  28. "ART 43 Courthouse – Rosslyn – Crystal City" (PDF). June 30, 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  29. "Columbia Pike-DHS/Sequoia-Rosslyn" (PDF). November 27, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  30. "Ballston-Virginia Hospital Center" (PDF). June 25, 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  31. "Ballston-Virginia Hospital Center-East Falls Church" (PDF). June 25, 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  32. "Ballston Metro-Old Glebe-East Falls Church-Westover" (PDF). June 30, 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  33. "ART 55 is Coming to Lee Highway - Service Starts Dec. 13". November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  34. "ART 55 East Falls Church – Lee Highway – Rosslyn" (PDF). www.arlingtontransit.com. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  35. "Rosslyn – Court House Metro Shuttle" (PDF). June 25, 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  36. "Court House Metro-Lorcom Lane-Ballston Metro" (PDF). June 25, 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  37. "New ART Route will Connect North Arlington to Ballston and Shirlington". November 27, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  38. "Rock Springs – Ballston – Shirlington" (PDF). November 27, 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  39. "Arlington Village – Arlington View – Pentagon City" (PDF). December 17, 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  40. "Wakefield H.S. – Carlin Springs Rd – Ballston" (PDF). September 30, 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  41. "Shirlington – Lyon Park – Court House" (PDF). December 17, 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  42. "Douglas Park – Nauck – Pentagon City" (PDF). December 17, 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  43. "Pentagon Metro – Army Navy Drive – Shirlington" (PDF). December 17, 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  44. "New ART 54 Route to Connect Dominion Hills & Madison Manor with East Falls Church Metro". arlingtontransit.com. August 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  45. "ART 54 and 92 Service to End on June 22". May 17, 2018.
  46. "ART 66: Clarendon-Courthouse Lunch Loop" (PDF). commuterpage.com. March 3, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2003. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  47. "ART 67: Ballston-VA Square Lunch Loop" (PDF). commuterpage.com. September 1, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2002. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  48. "ART 73 Arlington Heights-Penrose-Pentagon City" (PDF). commuterpage.com. September 7, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2003. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  49. "82 Shirlington-Nauck-Pentagon City". commuterpage.com. June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  50. "ART 90: Crystal City Rush Hour Service" (PDF). commuterpage.com. February 1, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2002. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  51. "ART 91 Schedule South 23rd Street Restaurant Row Shuttle". commuterpage.com. December 1, 2002. Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  52. "Crystal City – Long Bridge Park/Boeing – Pentagon" (PDF). arlingtontransit.com. October 6, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
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