The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a two-year commuter bus pilot program aimed at reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions in the county. Nearly 97% of employees in Loudoun County currently drive alone to work, resulting in 98,000 solo vehicles on the roads each day. The proposed pilot program would offer bus service from Dale City and Warrenton to key locations in Loudoun County, such as the Dulles Transit Center and government center. The one-way fare is suggested to be $8.25 in the first year of the program.
A feasibility study found that most employees who work in Loudoun County come from surrounding areas in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. The study also revealed that if the commuter bus service costs more than $200 monthly, most solo commuters would continue to drive alone. If the pilot program is successful, it is estimated that annual ridership could reach over 100,000 passengers, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating nearly 49 million gallons of gasoline consumption annually.
The county’s existing commuter bus service to D.C. has only recovered to 11% of pre-pandemic levels, prompting officials to seek new ways to attract and retain employees facing long commutes. The proposed pilot program aims to address these challenges while also benefiting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The board of supervisors will vote on the program this week, with the potential to significantly impact commuting patterns and environmental sustainability in Loudoun County.
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